Bone marrow transplantation offers a potential cure for a number of childho
od cancers, sickle cell anemia, and stabilization of a deteriorating and de
bilitating process in a number of metabolic disorders and leukodystrophies.
Depending upon the disease, treatment prior to BMT, and natural history of
the disease, BMT may increase the risk of neuropsychological toxicity for
children undergoing BMT, or may actually improve their long-term neurodevel
opmental outlook. The role of factors such as pre-BMT therapy, age at time
of treatment, presence or absence of total body irradiation, and toxicities
associated with GVHD are presented for consideration. A developmental mode
l for understanding the emergence of neurocognitive effects of BMT is revie
wed, and strategies for intervention are considered.