• The goal of this behavioral study is to look at whether a Cognitive Training Program might be helpful to patients in preventing attention deficits that are a common result after Central Nervous System disease and therapy. [ Time Frame: 5 Years ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

The Cognitive Training Program (CTP) is made up of many elements. It includes procedures that are designed to build five types of attention skills, as well as motivational activities that exercise your child's attention processes. The CTP includes instructions on how to improve the way your child's mind approaches a task, how he/she performs different tasks, and what he/she does after finishing tasks. The CTP also includes the use of therapy to improve and maintain motivation, self-esteem, and self-confidence, as well as to help your child stay motivated and keep from getting distracted.

Before your child can take part in this study, he/she will have what is called a "screening test of intelligence." This test will help the doctor decide if your child is eligible to take part in the study. In order for a child to participate in the study, he or she has to achieve a score > 70 on the screening test (at least within the borderline range of intelligence), because this level of intelligence is necessary for a child to understand the CPT educational materials. It is possible that after this test, your child may not be able to continue on this study. The screening test results will be discussed with you.

Your child will be randomly assigned (as in the toss of a coin) to either the CTP or a "control" group. The control group will receive standard educational support, but will not receive the one-on-one cognitive training given during the study. After the study is completed, patients randomized to the control group will be eligible to receive the CTP intervention, free of charge, if the parents prefer. All participants will complete standardized cognitive and academic tests at three time points: at the beginning of the study, six months later, and then six months after that. The tests will be given by a very experienced research assistant who will ask your child questions and have him or her complete various paper and pencil tasks or puzzles. Testing at each of the three time points will take about 3 hours. However, the test sessions can be divided into shorter sessions, if necessary for the child's comfort. After each test session, you and your child will talk to a member of the study staff about your child's results and what they mean to your child's progress.

Your child will be seen for a total of 20 study-therapy visits (as long as they are in the intervention group) over a 4 to 6 month training period. Each visit will be about two hours long, and will occur once a week during the training period. The study visits will be "one-on-one" sessions between your child and the therapist. Each study visit will be include two 50-minute training sessions with a 15-minute break between them. During training sessions, your child will participate in several activities. Each activity will only last about 15 minutes each. If your child gets tired during a session, the therapist will let him/her take a short rest break.

The therapy program your child receives will be especially designed for him/her, building on his/her strengths as well as focusing on areas where he/she needs more help.

This is an investigational study. CTP and assessment appointments will be scheduled on days that your child is already in the clinic or inpatient, as often as possible. There will be no cost for taking part in this study. About 30 children will take part in this study. All will be enrolled at M. D. Anderson.

Patients with leukemia, lymphoma, or brain tumor that are at least 6 years old.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Eligibility criteria to participate in the study are: at least 6-years-old.
2. Enrolled in school or homebound instruction in a grade Kindergarten through 12th.
3. A diagnosis of leukemia, lymphoma, or brain tumor (e.g., primary brain tumors, leptomeningeal infiltration, or metastases) that requires treatment of the CNS (surgery, CRT, and/or chemotherapy).
4. Within 2 months to 14 months after beginning treatment for cancer.
5. Full scale IQ > or = 70.
6. English-speaking. (This is defined as the ability to appropriately respond to test and training materials.)

Exclusion Criteria:

1) A major physical, neurologic, or psychiatric condition that would preclude participation in the research program. The functional criteria for exclusion is inability to perceive and comprehend training materials and therapeutic interventions.