Practical Approach to Management of Cognitive Dysfunction in Patients with Cerebral Malignancies

Purpose of Review Persons with brain tumors (BT) frequently experience cognitive dysfunction (CD), which significantly impacts their function and quality of life (QoL). This review aims to examine symptoms, underlying mechanisms, diagnosis, and current management strategies for CD. Recent Findings Symptoms of CD can be secondary to the disease process itself or the modalities used for the treatment of BT. The subtleties of CD necessitate the use of neuropsychology evaluation for diagnosis. There is evidence supporting cognitive rehabilitation and physical exercise interventions for management. Summary A multidisciplinary approach is critical for the recognition and management of CD to help patients maintain independence and preserve QoL. Future research will include learning more about the benefits of aerobic and resistance training on patients with BT with specific recommendations for exercise prescriptions, identification of neuroprotective agents, and pharmacologic agents that can ameliorate cognitive deficits.