Motor and perceptual timing deficits among survivors of childhood leukemia. J Pediatr Psychol 2007 Sep;32(8):918-25
Date
05/25/2007Pubmed ID
17522113DOI
10.1093/jpepsy/jsm028Scopus ID
2-s2.0-36649002697 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 15 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: There is growing evidence of cerebellar-frontal system change in children treated for leukemia with chemotherapy alone (Lesnik et al., 1998).
METHODS: We compared 22 long-term survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), aged 8-18, to 22 age- and gender-matched controls on tasks emphasizing cerebellar-frontal functioning including judgment of time duration and motor timing. Groups were also compared on a judgment of pitch task, used as a control measure. Children with ALL were at least 5 years from diagnosis, treated with intrathecal chemotherapy (methotrexate in all, hydrocortisone and cytarabine in 20/22), but not radiation therapy, and free from recurrence of disease.
RESULTS: After controlling for IQ, the ALL group had poorer performance than controls on judgment of long duration and motor timing, but not judgment of pitch.
CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with intrathecal and infusional chemotherapy for childhood ALL may be associated with skill deficits comparable to those seen in individuals with cerebellar-frontal abnormalities.
Author List
Mahone EM, Prahme MC, Ruble K, Mostofsky SH, Schwartz CLAuthor
Cindy L. Schwartz MD, MPH Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAntimetabolites, Antineoplastic
Cerebellum
Child
Female
Frontal Lobe
Humans
Judgment
Male
Methotrexate
Motor Skills Disorders
Perceptual Disorders
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma
Reaction Time
Survivors
