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Assessment of the Metabolic Profile of Primary Leukemia Cells
Published on: November 21, 2018
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Declines Noted in Cognitive Processes and Association With Achievement Among Children With Leukemia
Kathleen C Insel1, Marilyn J Hockenberry2, Lynette L Harris3
1University of Arizona.
Oncology Nursing Forum
|June 21, 2017
Summary
Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) may experience verbal working memory decline during chemotherapy. Younger children and females showed greater cognitive deficits, impacting academic achievement.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment can affect cognitive functions in children.
- Understanding these cognitive changes is crucial for academic support and long-term outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess changes in cognitive processes, including working memory and processing speed, in children undergoing chemotherapy for ALL.
- To identify factors, such as age at diagnosis and gender, influencing cognitive decline.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, repeated measures design was used with 71 children diagnosed with ALL.
- Cognitive functions (working memory, processing speed, executive function, attention) and academic achievement were assessed using standardized measures.
- Mixed-effects latent growth curve modeling analyzed changes over approximately one to two years.
Main Results:
- Children diagnosed with ALL younger than five years showed a greater decline in verbal working memory.
- Decline in verbal working memory was associated with lower academic achievement in letter-word identification and calculation.
- Female patients exhibited a greater decline in processing speed compared to male patients.
Conclusions:
- Chemotherapy for ALL can lead to significant cognitive challenges, particularly in verbal working memory and academic skills.
- Early identification of cognitive deficits and timely interventions are essential for improving school performance in childhood cancer survivors.
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