[Neurocognitive deficits in patients with malignant brain tumors]

Abstract

This article reviews research on neurocognitive deficits in adult patients with malignant brain tumors, i. e. high-grade primary brain tumors and brain metastases. Brain tumor patients experience significant neurocognitive deficits, mainly in the domains of attention, memory, executive function and psychomotor function. Neurosurgical, radiotherapeutic or radiochemotherapeutic treatment regimens are often associated with a decline in cognitive functioning. However, such empirical observations are often confounded with the neurocognitive effects of tumor progression. Few studies investigated associations among neurocognitive deficits and distress. These studies revealed contradictory results. Similarly, research on neurocognitive deficits and health-related quality of life has resulted in equivocal evidence. Furthermore, convincing empirical evidence for the effectiveness of neurocognitive training in patients with high-grade brain tumors is lacking.