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dc.rights.licenseCC-BY-NC-ND
dc.contributor.advisorHuenges-Wajer, I. M. C.
dc.contributor.advisorZandvoort, M. van
dc.contributor.authorDonse, L.
dc.date.accessioned2015-09-09T17:01:03Z
dc.date.available2015-09-09T17:01:03Z
dc.date.issued2015
dc.identifier.urihttps://studenttheses.uu.nl/handle/20.500.12932/21523
dc.description.abstractObjectives: The current study was aimed at investigating working memory (WM) functioning in glioma patients undergoing awake brain surgery. Three main purposes were addressed: 1) to test the validity of the digit span as a WM test for intraoperative purposes, 2) to examine the relationship between WM and overall cognitive functioning, and 3) to evaluate the effect of intraoperative WM testing on postoperative WM functioning. Methods: A validation study was carried out in 20 healthy participants to examine the validity of the digit span, which is a feasible WM task for awake brain surgery. Subsequently, a multiple regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between WM and overall cognitive functioning in a clinical sample of 81 glioma patients undergoing awake brain surgery. In addition, differences in pre- and postoperative WM performance were examined. Patients who were intraoperatively tested for WM were compared to patients who were not. Results: Validity of the digit span backward was supported. In the patient sample, no significant relationship between WM and overall cognitive functioning was demonstrated. No decline in WM performance was found following awake brain surgery, independent of intraoperative WM testing. Conclusion: The current study suggests that WM performance is a not a reliable predictor of overall cognitive functioning in glioma patients. Furthermore, it suggests that WM functioning remains stable after intraoperative cognitive monitoring. However, it is not yet possible to provide solid conclusions on the protective value of intraoperative WM testing, since heterogeneity in the group of glioma patients may have masked differences between subgroups. The main implication of these results is that WM testing is not necessarily beneficial for all patients undergoing awake brain surgery, but when an individual patient is at risk for WM impairment, the digit span backward is a valid task for intraoperative purposes.
dc.description.sponsorshipUtrecht University
dc.format.extent358435
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.language.isoen
dc.titleWorking memory functioning and intraoperative testing in glioma patients undergoing awake brain surgery
dc.type.contentMaster Thesis
dc.rights.accessrightsOpen Access
dc.subject.keywordsawake brain surgery; glioma patients; electrocortical stimulation mapping; working memory; digit span
dc.subject.courseuuNeuropsychologie


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