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Younger age is a good predictor of better executive function after surgery for pituitary adenoma in adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2009

KARSTEN MÜSSIG*
Affiliation:
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Angiology, Nephrology, and Clinical Chemistry, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
THOMAS LEYHE
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany Geriatric Center at the University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
BRITTA BESEMER
Affiliation:
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Angiology, Nephrology, and Clinical Chemistry, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
RALF SAUR
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany Section of Experimental Magnetic Resonance of CNS, Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
HANS-ULRICH HÄRING
Affiliation:
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Angiology, Nephrology, and Clinical Chemistry, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
BAPTIST GALLWITZ
Affiliation:
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Angiology, Nephrology, and Clinical Chemistry, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
STEFAN KLINGBERG
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
*
Correspondence and reprint requests: Dr. Karsten Müssig, M.D., Medizinische Klinik IV, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Strasse 10, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany. E-mail: Karsten.Muessig@med.uni-tuebingen.de

Abstract

Pituitary adenomas, even after successful treatment, are associated with cognitive dysfunctions. We hypothesized that an association between the age of the patients at pituitary surgery and neuropsychological outcome may exist. Forty-two patients (mean age 51 ± 10 years) who had been successfully treated for pituitary adenoma (surgery with or without subsequent radiotherapy) underwent neuropsychological testing. Age at treatment (mean 37 ± 11 years) was significantly associated with Trail Making Test, Part B (TMT-B) results, a measure of executive control and attention (r = .60, p < .0001). This association remained significant after adjustment for age at testing and time since treatment (r = .42, p = .008). No associations were detected between age at treatment and Trail Making Test, Part A (TMT-A, attentional speed), the digit span test (acoustic working memory), and the German version of the Auditory Verbal Learning and Memory, and Memory Test (verbal memory, all p ≥ .3). Our data suggest a favorable effect of younger age at treatment in adults on neurocognitive outcome after surgery for pituitary adenoma. (JINS, 2009, 15, 803–806.)

Type
Brief Communications
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2009

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