Brain morphology and information processing at the completion of chemotherapy-only treatment for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Background: Approximately 50% of survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) demonstrate cognitive impairments. However, the trajectory of change and contributing neuropathology is unclear, limiting our ability to tailor intervention content and timing. This study aimed to explore information processing abilities and brain morphology early post-treatment for pediatric ALL.

Procedure: Twenty-one children at the end of ALL treatment and 18 controls underwent neuropsychological assessment. A subset also completed structural magnetic resonance imaging.

Results: A principal component analysis generated two cognitive factors: information processing capacity and information processing speed. Compared to control group, the ALL group displayed deficits in capacity, but not speed. No group differences were identified in morphology. No relationship was identified between capacity or speed and morphology.

Conclusion: Early cognitive intervention should target information processing abilities using a system-wide approach. Future studies should employ alternative imaging techniques sensitive to white-matter microstructure when exploring pathology underlying information processing deficits.