Neurocognitive Performance in Adults Treated With Radiation for a Primary Brain Tumor

The contributory effects of radiation dose to different brain regions on neurocognitive performance after radiation therapy (RT) for primary brain tumors is not well known.

In this retrospective cohort study, 30 patients with brain tumors treated with photon RT were identified, and radiation dosimetric parameters across brain regions were calculated. All patients had longitudinal neurocognitive evaluations at baseline and after treatment. Generalized estimating equations were used to model each neurocognitive endpoint over time in a multivariable analysis, while adjusted for multiple comparisons of brain regions.

Median follow-up from RT to last assessment was 4.1 years. Fewer years of formal education and older age at the time of RT were associated with lower scores in language, verbal memory, and working memory, after adjustment for baseline scores in multivariable analyses. Higher radiation dose to specific brain regions was not associated with declines in any of the evaluated cognitive domains. On average, there was no clinically significant decline (magnitude of z score change >1) between first and last neurocognitive evaluation. Across each individual cognitive domain, fewer than 15% of patients were impaired at most recent follow-up.

In this small study of 30 patients treated with RT for a primary brain tumor, brain region dosimetry was not associated with decline in cognitive performance. Older age at time of RT and fewer years of formal education were associated with declines in cognitive performance, suggesting that effects of nondosimetric factors on cognitive performance should be considered alongside treatment factors and dosimetry in neuro-oncology research.