Progression of brain injuries associated with methotrexate chemotherapy in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Brain bases and progression of methotrexate-associated neurotoxicity and cognitive disturbances remain unknown. We tested whether brain abnormalities worsen in proportion to intrathecal methotrexate(IT-MTX) doses.

Methods

In this prospective, longitudinal study, we recruited 19 patients with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia 4-to-20 years of age and 20 matched controls. We collected MRI and neuropsychological assessments at a pre-methotrexate baseline and at week 9, week 22, and year 1 during treatment.

Results

Patients had baseline abnormalities in cortical and subcortical gray matter(GM), white matter(WM) volumes and microstructure, regional cerebral blood flow, and neuronal density. Abnormalities of GM, blood flow, and metabolites worsened in

SUBMITTER: Bansal R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11798858 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature