Neurocognitive Dysfunction After Stem Cell Transplantation Usually Transient

Posted 03/12/2004

November 29, 2004 (Reuters) - NEW YORK - Myeloablative hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is known to reduce neurocognitive function, but new research suggests that much of this impairment is temporary.

As reported in the Nov. 15 issue of Blood, Dr. Karen Syrjala, from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, and colleagues assessed the neurocognitive changes that occurred in 142 adult patients who underwent HCT. Standard tests were used to assess neurocognitive function before HCT, 80 days after HCT, and at one year.

Compared with the pre-HCT results, all of the tests showed a drop in neurocognitive function at 80 days. However, by one year, the scores had largely returned to their pre-HCT levels. The exception was the scores for grip strength and motor dexterity, which remained low.

Factors predictive of improved functional recovery included receiving no chemotherapy or only hydroxyurea before HCT and not receiving medications for graft-versus-host disease, the authors point out.

"Patients and their families can be advised that, although short-term neurocognitive effects of HCT are severe, most patients return to their pretransplantation levels of cognitive function by one year after transplantation," the researchers state.

They suggest that "neuropsychologic function should be evaluated in patients who continue to have cognitive complaints after one year."

Blood 2004;104:3386-3392.

Copyright 2004 Reuters Limited.