Long-term neurocognitive and psychological outcomes in meningioma survivors: Individual changes over time and radiation dosimetry

Abstract

Abstract Background This study investigates long-term changes in neurocognitive performance and psychological symptoms in meningioma survivors and associations with radiation dose to circumscribed brain regions. Methods We undertook a retrospective study of meningioma survivors who underwent longitudinal clinical neurocognitive assessments. Change in neurocognitive performance or psychological symptoms was assessed using reliable change indices. Radiation dosimetry, if prescribed, was evaluated based on treatment-planning computerized tomography co-registered with contrast-enhanced 3D T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Mixed effects analyses were used to explore whether incidental radiation to brain regions outside the tumor influences neurocognitive and psychological outcomes. Results Most (range = 41%–93%) survivors demonstrated stable—albeit often below average—neurocognitive and psychological trajectories, although some also exhibited improvements (range = 0%–31%) or declines (range = 0%–36%) over time. Higher radiation dose to the parietal-occipital region (partial R2 = 0.462) and cerebellum (partial R2 = 0.276) was independently associated with slower visuomotor processing speed. Higher dose to the hippocampi was associated with increases in depression (partial R2 = 0.367) and trait anxiety (partial R2 = 0.236). Conclusions Meningioma survivors experience neurocognitive deficits and psychological symptoms many years after diagnosis, and a proportion of them decline over time. This study offers proof of concept that incidental radiation to brain regions beyond the tumor site may contribute to these sequelae. Future investigations should include radiation dosimetry when examining risk factors that contribute to the quality of survivorship in this growing population.