Altered structural networks and cognitive functioning in long-term survivors of pediatric brain tumors.

ABSTRACT: Pediatric brain tumor (PBT) survivors frequently exhibit long-term changes in brain network organization and cognition. This study investigated structural brain networks among PBT survivors, exploring the potential influence of radiotherapy during childhood. Cognitive assessments and MRIs were acquired in 20 irradiated and 26 non-irradiated PBT survivors, and 47 healthy controls. Multi-shell diffusion-weighted MRIs were processed to perform tractography and construct weighted graphs. Whole-brain and local graph measures, including hub scores, were calculated. Group differences in cognitive performance and network measures were analyzed using ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis. Additionally, the susceptibility of hub regions to reorganization and their relationship to cognition were explored. PBT surv

SUBMITTER: Bullens K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12744276 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature