Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society
- Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society / Volume 15 / Issue 05 / September 2009, pp 803-806
- Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2009
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1355617709990324 (About DOI), Published online: 29 July 2009
Brief Communications
Younger age is a good predictor of better executive function after surgery for pituitary adenoma in adults
KARSTEN MÜSSIGa1 c1*, THOMAS LEYHEa2a3*, BRITTA BESEMERa1, RALF SAURa2a4, HANS-ULRICH HÄRINGa1, BAPTIST GALLWITZa1 and STEFAN KLINGBERGa2
a1 Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Angiology, Nephrology, and Clinical Chemistry, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
a2 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
a3 Geriatric Center at the University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
a4 Section of Experimental Magnetic Resonance of CNS, Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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.)
(Received January 21 2009)
(Reviewed May 20 2009)
(Accepted May 27 2009)
Keywords
Correspondence:
c1 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
Footnotes
* The authors contributed equally to this article.
