Functional connectivity differences in posterior fossa tumor survivors and healthy controls: An exploratory study Journal Article
| Authors: | Ramjan, S.; Sands, S.; Gohel, S.; Blair-Thies, M.; Li, Y.; Rollins, N. K.; Wang, Z. J.; Shaw, D.; Dashnaw, S.; Holland, A. A.; Bledsoe, J.; Posner, J.; Adi Vachha, B. |
| Article Title: | Functional connectivity differences in posterior fossa tumor survivors and healthy controls: An exploratory study |
| Abstract: | Survival rates for pediatric posterior fossa tumor patients have improved due to advances in chemotherapy and irradiation treatment. Despite reduced irradiation in current treatment methods, many survivors experience cognitive impairment, learning difficulties, and academic delays that are secondary to emerging deficits in intelligence, attention, memory, and processing speed. Posterior fossa tumor survivors between the ages of 6 and 17 were recruited at four sites across North America and between 1 and 10 years posttreatment for either M0 posterior fossa medulloblastoma without dissemination or posterior fossa low-grade astrocytoma without relapse or evidence of residual disease. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging was analyzed using independent component analysis, and connectivity between brain regions were quantified. Significant effect of tumor diagnosis on independent component analysis based functional connectivity in the visual network and sensory motor network (p < .05) were observed. Significant interactions were found between the right cuneus, tumor type, and processing speed (p = .0137), and fine motor functioning in the dominant hand (p = .0181). Significant interactions were documented between the left lingual gyrus and tumor type on processing speed (p = .0075) and fine motor functioning in the nondominant hand (p = .0306). There was a significant interaction of the right superior parietal lobe and tumor type on emotion regulation (p = .0218). This research supports neuroimaging techniques identifying medulloblastoma survivors who are at risk and experiencing cognitive difficulties posttreatment. Specific brain regions were identified that are impacted by treatment, which provides insight into the cognitive domains that should be targeted in intervention and will be important for cognitive remediation programs for this population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved) |
| Keywords: | pediatric brain tumor; posterior fossa; functional connectivity; cognitive late effects |
| Journal Title: | Journal of Pediatric Neuropsychology |
| ISSN: | 2199-2681 |
| Publisher: | Educational Publishing Foundation Us |
| Date Published: | 2025-06-01 |
| Language: | English |
| ACCESSION: | 2026-28164-001 |
| DOI: | 10.1037/jpn0000005 |
| PROVIDER: | Ovid Technologies |
| PROVIDER: | psycinfo |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | References -- MSK author Melanie Thies is listed as 'Melanie Blair-Thies' on the original publication -- Source: APA PsycInfo |
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