Younger age is a good predictor of better executive function after surgery for pituitary adenoma in adults

Pituitary adenomas, even after successful treatment, are associated with cognitive dysfunctions. We hypothesized that an association between the age of the patients at pituitary surgery and neuropsychological outcome may exist. Forty-two patients (mean age 51 +/- 10 years) who had been successfully treated for pituitary adenoma (surgery with or without subsequent radiotherapy) underwent neuropsychological testing. Age at treatment (mean 37 +/- 11 years) was significantly associated with Trail Making Test, Part B (TMT-B) results, a measure of executive control and attention (r = .60, p < .0001). This association remained significant after adjustment for age at testing and time since treatment (r = .42, p = .008). No associations were detected between age at treatment and Trail Making Test, Part A (TMT-A, attentional speed), the digit span test (acoustic working memory), and the German version of the Auditory Verbal Learning and Memory, and Memory Test (verbal memory, all p > or = .3). Our data suggest a favorable effect of younger age at treatment in adults on neurocognitive outcome after surgery for pituitary adenoma.