Neurocognitive aspects of brain metastasis

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Updated: Feb 16, 2026

Coherence between Brain Cortical Function and Neurocognitive Performance during Changed Gravity Conditions
12:29

Coherence between Brain Cortical Function and Neurocognitive Performance during Changed Gravity Conditions

Published on: May 23, 2011

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Jeffrey S Wefel1, Michael W Parsons2, Vinai Gondi3

  • 1Section of Neuropsychology, Department of Neuro-Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.

Handbook of Clinical Neurology
|January 9, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Brain metastases impact neurocognition, with diffuse treatments like whole-brain radiotherapy causing more decline than focal interventions. Objective neurocognitive testing is crucial for managing brain tumor patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neuro-oncology
  • Cancer patient care

Background:

  • Brain metastases affect ~20% of cancer patients.
  • Neurocognitive decline is a major concern, often pre-existing due to systemic therapies.
  • Both brain metastases and their treatments can worsen cognitive function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the neurocognitive impact of brain metastases and their treatments.
  • To highlight the complexity of neurocognitive issues in this patient population.
  • To emphasize the need for multidisciplinary decision-making regarding treatment choices.

Main Methods:

  • Review of treatment modalities for brain metastases.
  • Comparison of neurocognitive outcomes associated with different treatment approaches.
  • Discussion of the role of clinical outcome assessments.

Main Results:

  • Diffuse treatments (e.g., whole-brain radiotherapy) are more strongly linked to neurocognitive decline than focal interventions (e.g., radiosurgery, surgery).
  • Treatment decisions require balancing efficacy with neurocognitive impact.
  • Performance-based neurocognitive tests are essential for objective outcome measurement.

Conclusions:

  • Multidisciplinary care is vital for managing brain metastases and their neurocognitive effects.
  • Focal treatments may offer a better neurocognitive profile compared to diffuse therapies.
  • Standardized neurocognitive assessments are necessary to advance patient care and research.
Keywords:
brain metastasisclinical outcome assessmentmemoryneurocognitive functionradiationsystemic therapy

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