How is Cerebral Perfusion Associated with Functional Outcome in Pediatric Cancer Survivors?

Abstract

Pediatric cancer survivors (PCS) experience functional difficulties and brain alterations. However, little is known about cerebral perfusion and its relationship to functional outcome (cognitive and motor performance) in PCS. We examined cerebral blood flow (CBF) in non-brain tumor PCS and the associations between CBF and age, as well as functional outcome. Forty PCS and 40 age-comparable controls were included. CBF did not differ between PCS and controls. CBF decreased with age only in controls. In PCS, CBF was associated with functional outcome. Our data indicate an altered relationship between age and CBF in survivors, with stronger brain-behavior mechanisms after cancer.