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Brain Tumors: Essentials for Neuropsychologists
Michael Parsons, PhD
Michael W. Parsons, PhD, ABPP is a clinical neuropsychologist in the Pappas Neuro-Oncology Center and Associate Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. His clinical and research activities focus on the cognitive and behavioral consequences brain tumors, systemic cancer, and cancer therapy. The goals of his research are to understand how cancer and its treatments affect neural systems and to develop treatments for these problems. He is the author of numerous peer reviewed manuscripts and book chapters related to these issues. He provides neuropsychological evaluations for adults with cancer, addressing the cognitive issues that are caused by cancer and its treatment. He was a founding co-chair of the Oncology Special Interest group of the International Neuropsychological Society and serves on the Board of Directors and as a board examiner for the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology. Dr. Parsons is a Diplomate of the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology and currently serves as an ABCN oral examiner and member of its board of directors.
Credit
CE:1.5
Description
Evaluation and treatment of patients with brain tumors is a growing facet of neuropsychology clinical practice. There have been important changes in the classification schemes for brain tumors as well as the development of new treatments. These developments introduce new terminology and have significant implications for survival of these patients and their long-term cognitive symptoms. Neuropsychologists have few opportunities for training in this complex area of medicine. The goal of this 90-minute workshop is to provide the practicing neuropsychologist with essential core information to inform practice with these patients. The workshop will include an overview of the classification, characteristics, and prognosis of the most common types of brain tumors seen in clinical neuropsychology practice. Specific tumor types that will be reviewed include gliomas, meningiomas, and brain metastases (among others). The content will be at a level that is readily accessible to a neuropsychologist, will familiarize the neuropsychologist with oncology-specific terminology, and increase the comfort level of the attendee in collaborating with oncology colleagues in the care of these patients. In addition, we will explore new developments in the world of brain tumors, many of which are expanding our understanding of core concepts in neuropsychology, including functional neuroanatomy, neuroplasticity, and connectivity.
As a result of attending this workshop, participants will be able to:
1. Explain the relevant aspects of the current classification system for primary brain tumors (World Health Organization, 2021).
As a result of attending this workshop, participants will be able to:
1. Explain the relevant aspects of the current classification system for primary brain tumors (World Health Organization, 2021).
2. Assess the main subtypes of gliomas in terms of their clinical presentation, typical course, prognosis, and impacts on cognitive and behavioral functions.
3. Describe the most important features of meningiomas, including their subtypes, typical presentation, and their interaction with common reasons for referral in neuropsychology.
4. Discuss the importance of developing areas of neuro-oncology, including the ways in which brain tumors interact with neural networks, treatments for cognitive and emotional symptoms in people with brain tumors, and promising developments in the field.