Neuropsychological Outcomes in Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors

Predicting and mitigating the risk of neuropsychological deficits is essential to improve quality of life and long-term psychosocial, educational, and employment outcomes for the growing cohort of pediatric brain tumor survivors. Highlighting Canadian contributions where possible, this updated chapter reviews existing research on disease- and treatment-related variables, individual characteristics, and contextual factors related to neuropsychological outcomes in this population. While the nature and severity of deficits experienced by survivors is variable, core cognitive functions such as attention, processing speed, working memory, psychomotor skills, and new learning are highly vulnerable to disruption, and in turn, underlie declines in general intellectual and academic functioning. Compensatory strategies and empirically validated interventions are discussed, along with future directions for clinicians and researchers to ultimately improve long-term neuropsychological functioning and quality of survivorship.