Qué medimos y cómo medimos. La evaluación de las secuelas neurocognitivas

Abstract

Brain tumors and leukemia survivors frequently suffer severe and persistent deficits in a wide range of neuropsychological functions such as attention, processing speed, memory, visuospatial skills and executive functions. The purpose of this article is to provide a better understanding about the current assessment procedures and techniques used to evaluate the neurocognitive sequelae. The most common method used to assess cognitive deficits has been IQ tests being the Wechsler scales the most widely used. The use of the latest Wechsler scales WAISIV, WISC-IV and WPPSI-III might interfere on the neuropsychological assessment in many ways. The Flynn effect will result in a higher frequency of children’s being considered as impaired and their impairments will appear as if it was due to a treatment effect. It doesn´t even exist an exact connection between the old VIQ and PIQ and the actual VC and PR indexes, therefore it isn´t possible to apply completely to the WISC-IV the knowledge acquired on neurocognitive functions with the use of WISC-R. More accurate and reliable assessment is needed to know with more precision the functional deficits in order to develop future less toxic treatments as well as more effective intervention programs.