Neuropsychological effects of chemotherapeutic agents

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Abstract
This study examines the neuropsychological effects of intrathecal and intravenous chemotherapies, specifies the relationship between drug administrations and test performance, and addresses differential effects of chemotherapy related to treatment age. Participants were 19 children under 6 years of age who were receiving intrathecal and intravenous chemotherapy for the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia (n = 15) or Burkitt's lymphoma (n = 4). Neuropsychological test performances obtained within 3 months of diagnosis and 1 year later were compared. Stability of performance was indicated on measures of higher order cognitive abilities and gross‐motor skills. Deficits in fine‐motor skills and abnormal deep tendon reflexes observed at baseline showed significant improvement 1 year later. Recovery was associated with discontinuation of systemic vincristine and attributed to rebound from chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy.