Poster Session 09 Program Schedule
02/16/2024
03:30 pm - 04:45 pm
Room: Shubert Complex (Posters 1-60)
Poster Session 09: Epilepsy | Oncology | MS | Infectious Disease
Final Abstract #34
Cognitive and Emotional Recovery Following Brain Tumor Resection: A Case Study
Evelyn Embry, Central Arkansas VA, North Little Rock, United States
Ian Moore, Central Arkansas VA, North Little Rock, United States
Prasad Padala, Central Arkansas VA, North Little Rock, United States
Category: Medical/Neurological Disorders/Other (Adult)
Keyword 1: medical disorders/illness
Keyword 2: neuropsychological assessment
Keyword 3: quality of life
Objective:
Often, the fields of geriatric psychiatry and neuropsychology focus on diagnosis and management of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and Vascular dementia where patient prognosis is usually poor. Even in cases where recovery is expected post-insult (e.g., TBI, CVA, brain surgery, etc.), psychiatry and neuropsychology are often only involved in acute and post-acute care and do not have the opportunity to track long term recovery. This study presents a case-report of a patient with repeat neuropsychological and mood testing following a parasellar meningioma resection. The study aims to highlight possibilities for cognitive, emotional, and social recovery and patient resiliency following a brain tumor resection.
Participants and Methods:
This study presents the case of a 64-year-old, right-handed, black, female veteran with 14 years of education who underwent a left temporal craniotomy and complete resection of a left parasellar meningioma. Results of four previous neuropsychological evaluations completed following the tumor resection will be discussed to highlight changes and improvements in her cognitive and emotional functioning. Additionally, changes in the patients’ medical health status and social functioning gathered during these evaluations will also be discussed.
Results:
On prior testing, her neuropsychological profile was notable for impairments in visual spatial abilities, left-handed motor weakness/slowing, and delayed verbal memory with improvements on recognition trials. Behavioral health findings during previous evaluations included symptoms of depression and suicidality. During her most recent evaluation, she demonstrated notable improvements in processing speed and attention and was found to no longer meet criteria for a neurocognitive disorder. Emotionally, she screened positive for depression symptoms but negative for symptoms of anxiety and was no longer demonstrated a high risk of suicidality.
Conclusions:
Across seven years, the patient’s neuropsychological profile remained grossly unchanged with some improvements in processing speed and attention and she received no diagnosis of a neurocognitive disorder following her most recent evaluation in 2023. Even within the context of her symptoms of depression and suicidality, she was able to intentionally lose 40lbs. and cultivated a support system by hosting an international student. This case study highlights patient resiliency and the possibility of positive outcomes following a brain tumor resection.
| 
