QOS-31: MULTIDIMENSIONAL ASSESSMENT OF ATTENTION FUNCTIONING IN CHILDREN WITH BRAIN TUMORS

OBJECTIVES: It is well examined that children with brain tumors are at high risk for cognitive deficits; especially in attention functioning. Due to different considered constructs of attention and assigned neuropsychological tests, the neuropsychological profile of attention in children with brain tumors is to some point unclear. METHODS: Children with brain tumors (N = 66) between 6 and 16 years were assessed for differentiated attentional constructs (e.g. sustained or divided attention). Furthermore, we compared this group to healthy children, children with other acquired brain injuries (N = 47; e.g. epilepsy, stroke,  …) and children with ADHD (N = 67). Each construct was assessed by a number subtests of neuropsychological batteries, proxy reports (parents) and standardized behavioral observations. RESULTS: In general we found that children with brain tumors had significantly more problems in various attentional components than healthy children. Some tumor groups appeared to be more at risk than others. However, no specific neuropsychological profile for these children could be described. Interestingly, children with ADHD or other acquired brain injuries had even more deficits, especially considering their attentional behavior. Specific attentional problems in daily life could be highlighted by parental ratings. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the necessity of a differentiated neuropsychological assessment to meet patients' needs best. Since we could not identify a specific pattern that is valid for all brain tumor patients in contrast to our control groups, we should rather look at individual neuropsychological profiles of attention functioning for each child suffering from a brain tumor.