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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
10:10
Quantifying Cognitive Decrements Caused by Cranial Radiotherapy
Published on: October 18, 2011
Changes in cognitive functioning in the year after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Sheri R Jacobs1, Brent J Small, Margaret Booth-Jones
1Health Outcomes and Behavior Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA.
Cancer
|August 10, 2007
Summary
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) candidates experience cognitive deficits pre-transplant. Cognitive functioning, except attention, significantly improves and returns to normal within one year post-HSCT.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Hematology
- Psychology
Background:
- Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can impact cognitive functions.
- Cognitive deficits are often observed in HSCT candidates before the procedure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine changes in cognitive functioning domains in HSCT candidates.
- To assess cognitive performance at pre-transplantation, 6 months, and 12 months post-transplantation.
Main Methods:
- A sequential longitudinal design with 476 randomized patients.
- Comprehensive neuropsychological testing of memory, psychomotor speed, attention, and executive functioning.
- Calculation of a total neuropsychological performance score (TNP).
Main Results:
- Cognitive abilities, excluding attention, showed significant improvement 1 year after HSCT.
- Total neuropsychological performance and most cognitive domains met or exceeded population norms by 12 months.
- Repeated testing improved motor speed and TNP; attrition impacted TNP, favoring those remaining in the study.
Conclusions:
- HSCT candidates experience pre-transplant cognitive deficits.
- Cognitive functioning generally recovers to normative levels within one year following HSCT.
- Longitudinal improvements are observed, though influenced by sample attrition.
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