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Hartman SJ, Zablocki RW, Tam RM, Palmer BW, Parker BA, Sears DD, Ahles TA, Natarajan L. Relationship of physical activity and cognitive functioning among breast cancer survivors: a cross-sectional analysis. FRONTIERS IN COGNITION 2024; 3:1332960. [PMID: 39483324 PMCID: PMC11526472 DOI: 10.3389/fcogn.2024.1332960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Cancer related cognitive decline is a common long-term side effect of cancer and its treatments among breast cancer survivors. Physical activity is a modifiable risk factor related to cognitive decline. However, existing research lacks consensus regarding the relationship between cognition and exercise as well as the impact of cancer treatments on this relationship. Baseline data from an ongoing randomized clinical trial was utilized to examine the relationship between self-reported and objectively measured cognition with physical activity. Exploratory analyses examined cancer treatments as potential moderators. Methods Breast cancer survivors (N = 253) completed a battery of neurocognitive tests, the PROMIS Cognitive abilities questionnaire, medical charts abstracted for treatment information, and wore an ActiGraph accelerometer at the waist for 7 days. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression models. Results Participants were on average 58.5 (SD = 8.88) years old, diagnosed 3 years prior to enrollment (SD = 1.27) with 57% treated with chemotherapy and 80% receiving hormone therapy at baseline. Better self-reported cognitive ability was significantly associated with greater min of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA; β = 0.070, se = 0.028, p = 0.012). There were no significant associations with any objectively measured cognitive domains. Time since diagnosis (years) was a significant moderator of MVPA and Processing Speed (β = -0.103, se = 0.043, p = 0.017). Treatment with chemotherapy and/or hormones did not significantly moderate the relationship between MVPA and any of the cognitive measures or domains. Conclusion Findings suggest that physical activity is related to self-reported cognition but not objectively measured cognition. Greater physical activity was associated with faster processing speed in participants closer in time to their cancer diagnosis. These results emphasize the need for more research to understand when cancer survivors may benefit from physical activity and what aspects of cognition may be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheri J. Hartman
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Rong W. Zablocki
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Rowena M. Tam
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Barton W. Palmer
- Department of Psychiatry, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Barbara A. Parker
- UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Dorothy D. Sears
- UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- Department of Family Medicine, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Tim A. Ahles
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Loki Natarajan
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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Chen VCH, Chuang W, Tsai YH, McIntyre RS, Weng JC. Longitudinal assessment of chemotherapy-induced brain connectivity changes in cerebral white matter and its correlation with cognitive functioning using the GQI. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1332984. [PMID: 38385045 PMCID: PMC10879440 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1332984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Breast cancer was the most prevalent type of cancer and had the highest incidence rate among women worldwide. The wide use of adjuvant chemotherapy might have a detrimental effect on the human brain and result in chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CICI) among breast cancer patients. Furthermore, prior to chemotherapy, patients reported cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), which might be due to physiological factors or mood symptoms. The present longitudinal study aimed to investigate microstructural and macroscale white matter alterations by generalized q-sampling imaging (GQI). Methods The participants were categorized into a pre-chemotherapy group (BB) if they were diagnosed with primary breast cancer and an age-matched noncancer control group (HC). Some participants returned for follow-up assessment. In the present follow up study, 28 matched pairs of BB/BBF (follow up after chemotherapy) individuals and 28 matched pairs of HC/HCF (follow up) individuals were included. We then used GQI and graph theoretical analysis (GTA) to detect microstructural alterations in the whole brain. In addition, we evaluated the relationship between longitudinal changes in GQI indices and neuropsychological tests as well as psychiatric comorbidity. Findings The results showed that disruption of white matter integrity occurred in the default mode network (DMN) of patients after chemotherapy, such as in the corpus callosum (CC) and middle frontal gyrus (MFG). Furthermore, weaker connections between brain regions and lower segregation ability were observed in the post-chemotherapy group. Significant correlations were observed between neuropsychological tests and white matter tracts of the CC, MFG, posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC) and superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF). Conclusion The results provided evidence of white matter alterations in breast cancer patients, and they may serve as potential imaging markers of cognitive changes. In the future, the study may be beneficial to create and evaluate strategies designed to maintain or improve cognitive function in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Chin-Hung Chen
- School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Wei Chuang
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, and Department of Artificial Intelligence, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Hsiung Tsai
- School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Roger S. McIntyre
- Mood Disorder Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jun-Cheng Weng
- Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, and Department of Artificial Intelligence, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Conti L, Pizzoli SFM, Marzorati C, Grasso R, Petralia G, Pravettoni G. Cognitive alterations and brain functional changes following chemotherapy treatment in breast cancer patients: A systematic review on resting-state fMRI studies. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. ADULT 2024:1-16. [PMID: 38261545 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2024.2303362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Cognitive dysfunctions and functional brain modifications are among the side effects reported by breast cancer patients that persist beyond the chemotherapy. This paper aims at synthesizing the evidence on cognitive and functional brain changes and their associations in breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase up to July 2022. Eligible studies evaluated adult women with breast cancer treated with systemic chemotherapy, that performed cognitive assessment and resting-state functional MRI. Methodological quality was assessed. Sixteen studies were included, with a total of 1054 female participants. All studies reported alterations mainly concerned the fronto-parieto-temporal system and specifically involved the disruption of the DMN. Consistent with these findings, BCPs showed changes in cognitive performance reporting dysfunctions in executive ability, memory, and attention. However, not all the studies found a significant association between functional brain alterations and cognitive dysfunction. Some limitations including lack of sample homogeneity and different methodological approaches were reported. This work highlighted the presence of cognitive dysfunctions and functional brain alteration in breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. This allows a greater awareness of the side effects, promoting better clinical management. However, further research is needed to investigate the cause-effect relationship between cognitive and functional alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Conti
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IRCCS European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Marzorati
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IRCCS European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Grasso
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IRCCS European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Haemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Petralia
- Department of Oncology and Haemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
- Division of Radiology, IRCCS European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pravettoni
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IRCCS European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Haemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
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Liu S, Cao L, Li H, Du Y, Wang M, Xiao H, Duan Y, Deng G, Huang X, Qiu C, Gong Q. Trait anxiety mediates the association between hippocampal-insula functional connectivity and anxiety symptom severity in adults with and without generalized anxiety disorder. J Affect Disord 2024; 344:1-7. [PMID: 37802321 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trait anxiety is a vulnerability factor for the development of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The hippocampus has been implicated in trait anxiety in normal and GAD populations. However, the exact neural mechanism of hippocampal functional connectivity (FC) and its association with clinical symptoms and trait anxiety in GAD patients remains unknown. METHODS We recruited 68 participants (37 drug-naïve non-comorbidity GAD patients and 31 matched healthy controls (HC)), assessed their trait and state anxiety, scanned them with structural and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and compared their hippocampal FC and volumes. We explored the relationships between hippocampal FC, clinical symptoms, and trait anxiety using partial correlation analyses; we also investigated the mediating effects of trait anxiety on the association between hippocampal FC and GAD symptom severity. RESULTS The GAD group showed increased right hippocampal FC with left insula, which was positively correlated with the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), State Anxiety Inventory (SAI), and Trait Anxiety Inventory (TAI). Trait anxiety mediated the relationship between hippocampal FC and anxiety levels. We found no significant difference in hippocampal volumes between GAD and HC. LIMITATIONS The sample size was moderate. The exclusion of comorbidity may reduce the generalizability of our results in normal clinical settings. CONCLUSIONS The GAD patients showed no structural change but had functional alterations in the hippocampus. More importantly, future psychotherapy for this disorder should consider that trait anxiety might play a crucial role in the altered hippocampal FC in GAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyu Liu
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Sichuan Clinical Medical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Lingxiao Cao
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Hailong Li
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Du
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Sichuan Clinical Medical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Mei Wang
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Sichuan Clinical Medical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Hongqi Xiao
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Sichuan Clinical Medical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yingxu Duan
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Sichuan Clinical Medical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Gaoju Deng
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Sichuan Clinical Medical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiaoqi Huang
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China.
| | - Changjian Qiu
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Sichuan Clinical Medical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Radiology, West China Xiamen Hospital of Sichuan University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
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Oliveira MEC, Torres GSV, Franklin RG, Gomes KAL, Nóbrega WFS, Fernandes TP, Santos NA. Cognitive impairments associated with chemotherapy in women with breast cancer: a meta-analysis and meta-regression. Braz J Med Biol Res 2023; 56:e12947. [PMID: 37851791 PMCID: PMC10578133 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x2023e12947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy is one of the most widely used treatments for breast cancer (BC). However, there is evidence of side effects like cognitive changes related to the chemotherapy treatment. The aim of the study was not only to summarize the existing evidence on the relationship between chemotherapy and cognitive performance in women with BC but also to identify additional consequences and aspects associated with these impairments. We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression to present updated information on the matter. We retrieved data from the databases PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus. Twenty studies comprising over 2,500 women were examined and the results indicated that chemotherapy can compromise cognition in women with BC (-1.10 OR [95%CI: -1.81 to -0.74], P<0.01), with working memory (-0.49 OR [95%CI: -0.85 to -0.13], P=0.03) being the most affected among the domains. Furthermore, additional data indicated that cognitive impairment is most likely amid women with BC having a lower education level (Q=4.85, P=0.02). Our results suggested that chemotherapy affects cognitive functions in women with BC, and certain characteristics can worsen the deterioration. A comprehensive study of women with breast cancer and existing predictors contributes to optimized personal journeys, elevated life prospects, and advanced care that can also aid prognosis and therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E C Oliveira
- Departamento de Psicologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil
| | - G S V Torres
- Departamento de Psicologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil
| | - R G Franklin
- Departamento de Psicologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - K A L Gomes
- Departamento de Psicologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil
| | - W F S Nóbrega
- Departamento de Odontologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB, Brasil
| | - T P Fernandes
- Departamento de Psicologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil
| | - N A Santos
- Departamento de Psicologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil
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Kuo PH, Chen AYC, Rodriguez RJ, Stuehm C, Chalasani P, Chen NK, Chou YH. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Chemo Brain. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:8017. [PMID: 37836847 PMCID: PMC10575384 DOI: 10.3390/s23198017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
This pilot feasibility study aimed to evaluate the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), and we report here on the first patient. BACKGROUND Deleterious cognitive changes due to chemotherapy or CRCI are commonly referred to as "chemo brain". With the increasing survival of cancer patients, this poorly understood and inadequately treated condition will likewise have an increasing toll on individuals and society. Since there is no approved treatment for chemo brain, we have initiated a therapeutic trial using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique approved in many countries for the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric conditions like migraine and depression. CASE PRESENTATION A 58-year-old woman, diagnosed 7 years prior with left breast cancer, underwent partial mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy. She then received four cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy. Afterwards, she was on tamoxifen for 4 years and then switched to aromatase inhibitors. The patient's CRCI started during chemotherapy and severely impaired her quality of life for an additional two years. In the third year after chemotherapy, the CRCI partially cleared to stabilize to the level at the time of presentation for this trial. The patient continues to have memory difficulties and decreased concentration, which makes multi-tasking very difficult to impossible. She is reliant on memory aids at work and at home. The participant underwent 10 consecutive sessions of TMS during weekdays for 2 weeks. Stimulation was directed to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. After TMS, the participant significantly improved in memory function on neuropsychological testing. While she reported no subjective differences in concentration or memory, she did report an improvement in her sleep. Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain before and after TMS showed increased resting-state functional connectivity between the stimulation site and several brain regions. Remarkably, after 6 years of chemo brain and remaining in the same position at work due to her inability to concentrate and multi-task, she applied for and received a promotion 5-6 months after her TMS treatments. CONCLUSIONS This first patient in the phase 1 clinical trial testing of TMS for the treatment of "chemo brain" provided important lessons for feasibility and insights into mechanisms of potential benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip H. Kuo
- Departments of Medical Imaging, Medicine, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Allison Yu-Chin Chen
- Brain Imaging and TMS Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA;
| | | | - Carol Stuehm
- Department of Medical Imaging, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA;
| | - Pavani Chalasani
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, George Washington Cancer Center, Washington, DC 20037, USA;
| | - Nan-Kuei Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA;
| | - Ying-Hui Chou
- Brain Imaging and TMS Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Evelyn F McKnight Brain Institute, Arizona Center on Aging, BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA;
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Lesnovskaya A, Ripperger HS, Donofry SD, Drake JA, Wan L, Poniatowski A, Donahue PT, Crisafio ME, Gilmore AD, Richards EA, Grove G, Gentry AL, Sereika SM, Bender CM, Erickson KI. Cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with hippocampal resting state connectivity in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. FRONTIERS IN COGNITION 2023; 2:1211525. [PMID: 37744285 PMCID: PMC10516482 DOI: 10.3389/fcogn.2023.1211525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Background Breast cancer and its treatment are associated with aberrant patterns of resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) between the hippocampus and several areas of the brain, which may account for poorer cognitive outcomes in patients. Higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has been associated with enhanced rsFC and cognitive performance; however, these associations have not been well studied in breast cancer. We examined the relationship between CRF, rsFC of the hippocampus, and cognitive performance among women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods Thirty-four postmenopausal women newly diagnosed with Stage 0-IIIa breast cancer (Mage = 63.59 ± 5.73) were enrolled in a 6-month randomized controlled trial of aerobic exercise vs. usual care. During baseline assessments, participants completed functional brain imaging, a submaximal CRF test, and cognitive testing. Whole-brain, seed-based analyses were used to examine the relationship between CRF and hippocampal rsFC, with age, years of education, and framewise displacement included as covariates. Cognition was measured with a battery of validated neurocognitive measures, reduced to seven composite factors. Results Higher CRF was positively associated with greater rsFC of the hippocampus to a cluster within the dorsomedial and dorsolateral frontal cortex (z-max = 4.37, p = 0.003, cluster extent = 1,020 voxels). Connectivity within cluster peaks was not significantly related to cognitive factors (all ps > 0.05). Discussion CRF was positively associated with hippocampal rsFC to frontal cortex structures, comprising a network of regions commonly suppressed in breast cancer. Future longitudinal research is needed to explore whether baseline rsFC predicts long-term cognitive resilience in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Lesnovskaya
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Hayley S. Ripperger
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Shannon D. Donofry
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jermon A. Drake
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Lu Wan
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Alexa Poniatowski
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology, Widener University, Chester, PA, United States
| | - Patrick T. Donahue
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mary E. Crisafio
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Alysha D. Gilmore
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Emily A. Richards
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - George Grove
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Amanda L. Gentry
- School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Susan M. Sereika
- School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Catherine M. Bender
- School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Kirk I. Erickson
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, AdventHealth Research Institute, Orlando, FL, United States
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Yao S, Zhu Q, Zhang Q, Cai Y, Liu S, Pang L, Jing Y, Yin X, Cheng H. Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) alleviates chemotherapy related cognitive impairment (CRCI) in breast cancer survivors: A pilot study based on resting-state fMRI. Cancer Med 2023; 12:16231-16242. [PMID: 37409628 PMCID: PMC10469649 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemotherapy related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a type of memory and cognitive impairment induced by chemotherapy and has become a growing clinical problem. Breast cancer survivors (BCs) refer to patients from the moment of breast cancer diagnosis to the end of their lives. Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) is a convenient and easy-to-apply psychological intervention that has been proven to improve quality of life and alleviate CRCI in BCs. However, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain unclear. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) has become an effective method for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of brain networks in CRCI. The fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) and ALFF have often been used in analyzing the power and intensity of spontaneous regional resting state neural activity. METHODS The recruited BCs were randomly divided into the CALM group and the care as usual (CAU) group. All BCs were evaluated by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog) before and after CALM or CAU. The rs-fMRI imaging was acquired before and after CALM intervention in CALM group BCs. The BCs were defined as before CALM intervention (BCI) group and after CALM intervention (ACI) group. RESULTS There were 32 BCs in CALM group and 35 BCs in CAU group completed the overall study. There were significant differences between the BCI group and the ACI group in the FACT-Cog-PCI scores. Compared with the BCI group, the ACI group showed lower fALFF signal in the left medial frontal gyrus and right sub-gyral and higher fALFF in the left occipital_sup and middle occipital gyrus. There was a significant positive correlation between hippocampal ALFF value and FACT-Cog-PCI scores. CONCLUSIONS CALM intervention may have an effective function in alleviating CRCI of BCs. The altered local synchronization and regional brain activity may be correlated with the improved cognitive function of BCs who received the CALM intervention. The ALFF value of hippocampus seems to be an important factor in reflect cognitive function in BCs with CRCI and the neural network mechanism of CALM intervention deserves further exploration to promote its application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senbang Yao
- Department of OncologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefeiChina
- Cancer and Cognition LaboratoryAnhui Medical UniversityHefeiChina
| | - Qinqin Zhu
- Department of RadiologyQuzhou People's HospitalQuzhouChina
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- Department of OncologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefeiChina
- Cancer and Cognition LaboratoryAnhui Medical UniversityHefeiChina
| | - Yinlian Cai
- Department of OncologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefeiChina
- Cancer and Cognition LaboratoryAnhui Medical UniversityHefeiChina
| | - Shaochun Liu
- Department of OncologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefeiChina
- Cancer and Cognition LaboratoryAnhui Medical UniversityHefeiChina
| | - Lulian Pang
- Department of OncologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefeiChina
- Cancer and Cognition LaboratoryAnhui Medical UniversityHefeiChina
| | - Yanyan Jing
- Department of OncologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefeiChina
- Cancer and Cognition LaboratoryAnhui Medical UniversityHefeiChina
| | - Xiangxiang Yin
- Department of OncologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefeiChina
- Cancer and Cognition LaboratoryAnhui Medical UniversityHefeiChina
| | - Huaidong Cheng
- Department of OncologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefeiChina
- Shenzhen Clinical Medical School of Southern Medical UniversityShenzhenChina
- Department of OncologyShenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical UniversityShenzhenChina
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Melis M, Schroyen G, Blommaert J, Leenaerts N, Smeets A, Van Der Gucht K, Sunaert S, Deprez S. The Impact of Mindfulness on Functional Brain Connectivity and Peripheral Inflammation in Breast Cancer Survivors with Cognitive Complaints. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3632. [PMID: 37509292 PMCID: PMC10377401 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) has been linked to functional brain changes and inflammatory processes. Hence, interventions targeting these underlying mechanisms are needed. In this study, we investigated the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on brain function and inflammatory profiles in breast cancer survivors with CRCI. METHODS Female breast cancer survivors reporting cognitive complaints (n = 117) were randomly assigned to a mindfulness-based intervention (n = 43), physical training (n = 36), or waitlist control condition (n = 38). Region-of-interest (ROI) and graph theory analyses of resting state functional MRI data were performed to study longitudinal group differences in functional connectivity and organization in the default mode, dorsal attention, salience, and frontoparietal network. Additionally, bead-based immunoassays were used to investigate the differences in inflammatory profiles on serum samples. Measures were collected before, immediately after and three months post-intervention. RESULTS No ROI-to-ROI functional connectivity changes were identified. Compared to no intervention, graph analysis showed a larger decrease in clustering coefficient after mindfulness and physical training. Additionally, a larger increase in global efficiency after physical training was identified. Furthermore, the physical training group showed a larger decrease in an inflammatory profile compared to no intervention (IL-12p70, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-8). CONCLUSION Both mindfulness and physical training induced changes in the functional organization of networks related to attention, emotion processing, and executive functioning. While both interventions reduced functional segregation, only physical training increased functional integration of the neural network. In conclusion, physical training had the most pronounced effects on functional network organization and biomarkers of inflammation, two mechanisms that might be involved in CRCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Melis
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational MRI, Catholic University Leuven, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Cancer Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gwen Schroyen
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational MRI, Catholic University Leuven, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Cancer Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Blommaert
- Leuven Brain Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Cancer Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, Gynecological Oncology, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Leenaerts
- Leuven Brain Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Mind-Body Research, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ann Smeets
- Leuven Cancer Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Multidisciplinary Breast Center, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katleen Van Der Gucht
- Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, 5037 AB Tilburg, The Netherlands
- Leuven Mindfulness Centre, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Group, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefan Sunaert
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational MRI, Catholic University Leuven, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sabine Deprez
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational MRI, Catholic University Leuven, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Cancer Institute, Catholic University Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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10
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Yao S, Zhang Q, Yao X, Zhang X, Pang L, Yu S, Cheng H. Advances of neuroimaging in chemotherapy related cognitive impairment (CRCI) of patients with breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2023:10.1007/s10549-023-07005-y. [PMID: 37329458 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-023-07005-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemotherapy related cognitive impairment (CRCI) has seriously affected the quality of life (QOL) of patients with breast cancer (BCs), thus the neurobiological mechanism of CRCI attracted widespread attention. Previous studies have found that chemotherapy causes CRCI through affecting brain structure, function, metabolism, and blood perfusion. FINDINGS A variety of neuroimaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), event-related potential (ERP), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) have been widely applied to explore the neurobiological mechanism of CRCI. CONCLUSION This review summarized the progress of neuroimaging research in BCs with CRCI, which provides a theoretical basis for further exploration of CRCI mechanism, disease diagnosis and symptom intervention in the future. Multiple neuroimaging techniques for CRCI research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senbang Yao
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Cancer and Cognition Laboratory, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Cancer and Cognition Laboratory, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xinxin Yao
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiuqing Zhang
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lulian Pang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Cancer and Cognition Laboratory, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Sheng Yu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Cancer and Cognition Laboratory, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Huaidong Cheng
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
- Shenzhen Clinical Medical School, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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11
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Zhuang Y, Guo L, Huang W, Bo G, Zhang J, Zhu Z, Feng Y. Altered resting-state hippocampal functional connectivity in breast cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e3039. [PMID: 37157937 PMCID: PMC10275533 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amenorrhea induced decrease of hormones is associated with cognitive impairment. This study aimed to evaluate hippocampal functional connectivity patterns in chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea (CIA) breast cancer (BC) patients, to evaluate the relationship between the functional connectivity features and hormone levels. METHOD Neuropsychological test, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and assessment of hormone levels were conducted in 21 premenopausal BC patients before chemotherapy (t0 ) and 1 week after completing chemotherapy (t1 ). Twenty matched healthy controls (HC) were also included and underwent the same assessments at similar time intervals. Mixed effect analysis and paired t-test were used to compare differences in brain functional connectivity. RESULTS Voxel-based paired t-tests revealed increased functional connectivity of the right and left hippocampus with the left fusiform gyrus, inferior and middle temporal gyrus, inferior occipital gyrus, left lingual gyrus, and parahippocampal gyrus after chemotherapy (p < .001) in CIA patients. Repeated measures analysis revealed significant group-by-time interactions in the left hippocampus with the bilateral fusiform gyrus, right parahippocampal gyrus, left inferior temporal gyrus, and left inferior occipital gyrus (p < .001). Premenopausal BC patients had no significant differences in cognitive function compared with HC at baseline. However, the CIA patients had high levels of self-rating depression scale, self-rating anxiety scale, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Further, the CIA patients showed significant differences in hormone and fasting plasma glucose levels and cognitive performances between t0 and t1 (p < .05). Functional connectivity changes between the left hippocampus and the left inferior occipital gyrus was negatively correlated with E2 and luteinizing hormone changes (p < .05). CONCLUSION The CIA patients had cognitive dysfunction mainly in memory and visual mobility. Chemotherapy may affect hippocampal-posterior cortical circuit which mediates visual processing in CIA patients. Moreover, E2 may be involved in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Zhuang
- Department of Medical ImagingMedical Imaging Center, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityHuai'anJiangsuChina
| | - Lili Guo
- Department of Medical ImagingMedical Imaging Center, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityHuai'anJiangsuChina
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Medical ImagingMedical Imaging Center, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityHuai'anJiangsuChina
| | - Genji Bo
- Department of Medical ImagingMedical Imaging Center, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityHuai'anJiangsuChina
| | - Jiandong Zhang
- Department of Medical ImagingMedical Imaging Center, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityHuai'anJiangsuChina
| | - Zhaohuan Zhu
- Department of Medical ImagingMedical Imaging Center, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityHuai'anJiangsuChina
| | - Yun Feng
- Department of Medical ImagingMedical Imaging Center, The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityHuai'anJiangsuChina
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12
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Turcu-Stiolica A, Bogdan M, Dumitrescu EA, Zob DL, Gheorman V, Aldea M, Dinescu VC, Subtirelu MS, Stanculeanu DL, Sur D, Lungulescu CV. Diagnostic Accuracy of Machine-Learning Models on Predicting Chemo-Brain in Breast Cancer Survivors Previously Treated with Chemotherapy: A Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16832. [PMID: 36554712 PMCID: PMC9779296 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
We performed a meta-analysis of chemo-brain diagnostic, pooling sensitivities, and specificities in order to assess the accuracy of a machine-learning (ML) algorithm in breast cancer survivors previously treated with chemotherapy. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for eligible articles before 30 September 2022. We identified three eligible studies from which we extracted seven ML algorithms. For our data, the χ2 tests demonstrated the homogeneity of the sensitivity's models (χ2 = 7.6987, df = 6, p-value = 0.261) and the specificities of the ML models (χ2 = 3.0151, df = 6, p-value = 0.807). The pooled area under the curve (AUC) for the overall ML models in this study was 0.914 (95%CI: 0.891-0.939) and partial AUC (restricted to observed false positive rates and normalized) was 0.844 (95%CI: 0.80-0.889). Additionally, the pooled sensitivity and pooled specificity values were 0.81 (95% CI: 0.75-0.86) and 0.82 (95% CI: 0.76-0.86), respectively. From all included ML models, support vector machine demonstrated the best test performance. ML models represent a promising, reliable modality for chemo-brain prediction in breast cancer survivors previously treated with chemotherapy, demonstrating high accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adina Turcu-Stiolica
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Maria Bogdan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Elena Adriana Dumitrescu
- Department of Oncology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Daniela Luminita Zob
- Institute of Oncology, Prof Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu, Soseaua Fundeni, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Victor Gheorman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Madalina Aldea
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Venera Cristina Dinescu
- Department of Health Promotion and Occupational Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Mihaela-Simona Subtirelu
- Department of Pharmacoeconomics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Dana-Lucia Stanculeanu
- Department of Oncology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Daniel Sur
- 11th Department of Medical Oncology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400125 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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13
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Bradley-Garcia M, Winocur G, Sekeres MJ. Episodic Memory and Recollection Network Disruptions Following Chemotherapy Treatment in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Review of Neuroimaging Findings. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4752. [PMID: 36230678 PMCID: PMC9563268 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term memory disturbances are amongst the most common and disruptive cognitive symptoms experienced by breast cancer survivors following chemotherapy. To date, most clinical assessments of long-term memory dysfunction in breast cancer survivors have utilized basic verbal and visual memory tasks that do not capture the complexities of everyday event memories. Complex event memories, including episodic memory and autobiographical memory, critically rely on hippocampal processing for encoding and retrieval. Systemic chemotherapy treatments used in breast cancer commonly cause neurotoxicity within the hippocampus, thereby creating a vulnerability to memory impairment. We review structural and functional neuroimaging studies that have identified disruptions in the recollection network and related episodic memory impairments in chemotherapy-treated breast cancer survivors, and argue for the need to better characterize hippocampally mediated memory dysfunction following chemotherapy treatments. Given the importance of autobiographical memory for a person's sense of identity, ability to plan for the future, and general functioning, under-appreciation of how this type of memory is impacted by cancer treatment can lead to overlooking or minimizing the negative experiences of breast cancer survivors, and neglecting a cognitive domain that may benefit from intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gordon Winocur
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Centre, Toronto, ON M6A 2E1, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G3, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada
| | - Melanie J Sekeres
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
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14
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Zhou W, Tian W, Xia J, Li Y, Li X, Yao T, Bi J, Zhu Z. Alterations in degree centrality and cognitive function in breast cancer patients after chemotherapy. Brain Imaging Behav 2022; 16:2248-2257. [PMID: 35689165 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-022-00695-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to determine the presence or absence of persistent functional impairments in specific brain regions in breast cancer patients during the recovery period after chemotherapy. We calculated degree centrality (DC) and explored the correlation between brain changes and cognitive scores in 29 female patients with breast cancer who had completed chemotherapy within 1-6 years (C + group) and in 28 age-matched patients with breast cancer who did not receive chemotherapy (C- group). All patients underwent rs-fMRI and cognitive testing. Differences in brain functional activity were explored using DC parameters. Correlations between brain features and cognitive scores were analyzed via correlation analysis. Compared with the C- group, the C + group obtained significantly lower motor and cognitive subscores on the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions and four subscale scores of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the C + group exhibited a significantly higher DC z-score (zDC) in the right superior temporal gyrus and left postcentral gyrus (P < 0.01, FWE-corrected), and a lower zDC in the left caudate nucleus (P < 0.01, FWE-corrected). We found a positive correlation between digit symbol test (DST) scores and zDC values in the right superior temporal gyrus (r = 0.709, P < 0.001), and a negative correlation between DST scores and zDC values in the right angular gyrus (r = -0.784, P < 0.001) and left superior parietal gyrus (r = -0.739, P < 0.001). Chemotherapy can cause abnormal brain activity and cognitive decline in patients with breast cancer, and these effects are likely to persist. DC can be used as an imaging marker for chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment after chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wensu Zhou
- Graduate School of Dalian Medical University, 116044, Dalian, China
| | - Weizhong Tian
- Department of Radiology, Taizhou People's Hospital, 225300, Taizhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Jianguo Xia
- Department of Radiology, Taizhou People's Hospital, 225300, Taizhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Radiology, Taizhou People's Hospital, 225300, Taizhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaolu Li
- Graduate School of Dalian Medical University, 116044, Dalian, China
| | - Tianyi Yao
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Taizhou People's Hospital, 225300, Taizhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jingcheng Bi
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Taizhou People's Hospital, 225300, Taizhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhengcai Zhu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Taizhou People's Hospital, 225300, Taizhou, Jiangsu, China
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15
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Wang L, Zhu Y, Wu L, Zhuang Y, Zeng J, Zhou F. Classification of Chemotherapy-Related Subjective Cognitive Complaints in Breast Cancer Using Brain Functional Connectivity and Activity: A Machine Learning Analysis. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11082267. [PMID: 35456359 PMCID: PMC9027787 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11082267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was combining multi-level resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) features with machine learning method to distinguish breast cancer patients with chemotherapy-related subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) from non-chemotherapy (BC) and healthy controls (HC). Forty subjects in SCC group, forty-nine in BC group and thirty-four in HC group were recruited and underwent rs-fMRI scanning. Based on the anatomical automatic labeling brain atlas, the functional metrics of all subjects included functional connectivity, amplitude of low frequency fluctuation and fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation, regional homogeneity, voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity and degree centrality were calculated and extracted as features set. Then, the rs-fMRI features were selected by two-sample t-test, removing variables with a high pairwise correlation and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression. Finally, the support vector machine models were built for classification (SCC vs. BC, SCC vs. HC). Thirty-eight features (SCC vs. BC) and seventeen features (SCC vs. HC) were selected separately, and the accuracy of the models were 82.0% and 91.9%, respectively. These findings demonstrated a valid machine learning approach that effectively distinguished breast cancer patients with chemotherapy-related SCC from non-chemotherapy and healthy controls, providing potential neuroimaging evidence for early diagnosis and clinical intervention of chemotherapy-related SCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Yongwaizheng St. 17, Nanchang 330006, China; (L.W.); (Y.Z.); (L.W.)
- Neuroradiology Laboratory, Jiangxi Province Medical Imaging Research Institute, Yongwaizheng St. 17, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Yanyan Zhu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Yongwaizheng St. 17, Nanchang 330006, China; (L.W.); (Y.Z.); (L.W.)
- Neuroradiology Laboratory, Jiangxi Province Medical Imaging Research Institute, Yongwaizheng St. 17, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Lin Wu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Yongwaizheng St. 17, Nanchang 330006, China; (L.W.); (Y.Z.); (L.W.)
- Neuroradiology Laboratory, Jiangxi Province Medical Imaging Research Institute, Yongwaizheng St. 17, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Ying Zhuang
- Department of Oncology, Jiangxi Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Bayi Ave. 90, Nanchang 330003, China
- Correspondence: (Y.Z.); (F.Z.); Tel.: +86-791-886-951-32 (F.Z.)
| | - Jinsheng Zeng
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Yongwaizheng St. 17, Nanchang 330006, China;
| | - Fuqing Zhou
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Yongwaizheng St. 17, Nanchang 330006, China; (L.W.); (Y.Z.); (L.W.)
- Neuroradiology Laboratory, Jiangxi Province Medical Imaging Research Institute, Yongwaizheng St. 17, Nanchang 330006, China
- Correspondence: (Y.Z.); (F.Z.); Tel.: +86-791-886-951-32 (F.Z.)
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Kiesl D, Kuzdas-Sallaberger M, Fuchs D, Brunner S, Kommenda R, Tischler C, Hornich H, Akbari K, Kellermair J, Blessberger H, Ocenasek H, Hofmann P, Zimmer P, Vosko MR. Protocol for the Exercise, Cancer and Cognition - The ECCO-Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Simultaneous Exercise During Neo-/Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients and Its Effects on Neurocognition. Front Neurol 2022; 13:777808. [PMID: 35401389 PMCID: PMC8990905 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.777808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Epidemiological studies show that increased physical activity is linked to a lower risk of breast cancer and mortality. As a result, physical activity can significantly improve patients' quality of life (QOL) both during and after therapy.Many breast cancer patients demonstrate a decrease in cognitive capacity, referred to as the symptom-complex cancer related cognitive impairment (CRCI). Most frequently reported impairments are mild to moderate deficits in processing speed, attention, memory, and executive functions. Cognitive symptoms persist for months or even years, following medical treatment in roughly 35% of afflicted people, impairing everyday functioning, limiting the ability to return to work, and lowering the overall QOL. Recent studies point toward a key role of inflammatory pathways in the CRCI genesis. Attention to physical activity as a potential supportive care option is therefore increasing. However, evidence for the positive effects of exercise on preventing CRCI is still lacking. Patients and Methods Against this background, the prospective, two-arm, 1:1 randomized, controlled trial investigates the influence of first line chemotherapy accompanied by exercise training on preventing CRCI in 126 patients with breast cancer at the local University Hospital. The study will evaluate biomarkers and secondary assessments suspected to be involved in the pathogenesis of CRCI in addition to objective (primary outcome) and subjective cognitive function. CRCI is believed to be connected to either functional and/or morphological hippocampal damage due to chemotherapy. Thus, cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and hippocampal volume measurements are performed. Furthermore, a specific neuropsychological test battery for breast cancer patients has been developed to detect early signs of cognitive impairments in patients and to be integrated into practice. Discussion This study will explore how a long-term supervised exercise intervention program might prevent CRCI, enables optimization of supportive care and objectifies limits of psychological and physical resilience in breast cancer patients during and after chemotherapy treatment. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov: Identifier: NCT04789187. Registered on 09 March 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Kiesl
- Department for Internal Medicine III, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria
| | | | - David Fuchs
- Department for Palliative Care, Ordensklinikum Linz, Sisters of Mercy Hospital, Linz, Austria
| | - Silvana Brunner
- Department for Clinical Psychology, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria
| | - Romana Kommenda
- Department for Clinical Psychology, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria
| | - Clemens Tischler
- Department for Clinical Psychology, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria
| | | | - Kaveh Akbari
- Central Radiology Institute, Kepler University Hospital, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria
| | - Jörg Kellermair
- Department of Cardiology, Medical Faculty of the Johannes Kepler University, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria
| | - Hermann Blessberger
- Department of Cardiology, Medical Faculty of the Johannes Kepler University, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria
| | | | - Peter Hofmann
- Institute of Human Movement Science, Sport & Health, Exercise Physiology, Training & Training Therapy Research Group, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Philipp Zimmer
- Divison of Performance and Health (Sports Medicine), Institute for Sport and Sport Science, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Milan R Vosko
- Department of Neurology, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria
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Donofry SD, Lesnovskaya A, Drake JA, Ripperger HS, Gilmore AD, Donahue PT, Crisafio ME, Grove G, Gentry AL, Sereika SM, Bender CM, Erickson KI. Obesity, Psychological Distress, and Resting State Connectivity of the Hippocampus and Amygdala Among Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:848028. [PMID: 35431843 PMCID: PMC9011058 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.848028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Overweight and obesity [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2] are associated with poorer prognosis among women with breast cancer, and weight gain is common during treatment. Symptoms of depression and anxiety are also highly prevalent in women with breast cancer and may be exacerbated by post-diagnosis weight gain. Altered brain function may underlie psychological distress. Thus, this secondary analysis examined the relationship between BMI, psychological health, and resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) among women with breast cancer. Methods The sample included 34 post-menopausal women newly diagnosed with Stage 0-IIa breast cancer (Mage = 63.59 ± 5.73) who were enrolled in a 6-month randomized controlled trial of aerobic exercise vs. usual care. At baseline prior to randomization, whole-brain analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationship between BMI and seed-to-voxel rsFC of the hippocampus and amygdala. Connectivity values from significant clusters were then extracted and examined as predictors of self-reported depression and anxiety. Results Mean BMI was in the obese range (M = 31.83 ± 6.62). For both seeds examined, higher BMI was associated with lower rsFC with regions of prefrontal cortex (PFC), including ventrolateral PFC (vlPFC), dorsolateral PFC, and superior frontal gyrus (z range = 2.85-4.26). Hippocampal connectivity with the vlPFC was negatively correlated with self-reported anxiety (β = 0.47, p < 0.01). Conclusion Higher BMI was associated with lower hippocampal and amygdala connectivity to regions of PFC implicated in cognitive control and emotion regulation. BMI-related differences in hippocampal and amygdala connectivity following a recent breast cancer diagnosis may relate to future worsening of psychological functioning during treatment and remission. Additional longitudinal research exploring this hypothesis is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon D. Donofry
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Institute, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Alina Lesnovskaya
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jermon A. Drake
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Hayley S. Ripperger
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Alysha D. Gilmore
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Patrick T. Donahue
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mary E. Crisafio
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - George Grove
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Amanda L. Gentry
- School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Susan M. Sereika
- School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Catherine M. Bender
- School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Kirk I. Erickson
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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18
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Zhang Y, Shang S, Hu L, You J, Gu W, Muthaiah VP, Chen YC, Yin X. Cerebral Blood Flow and its Connectivity Deficits in Patients With Lung Cancer After Chemotherapy. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:761272. [PMID: 35402514 PMCID: PMC8983959 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.761272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) and CBF connectivity in the chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment of patients with lung cancer by using arterial spin labeling. Methods: Pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling perfusion magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological tests were performed for 21 patients with non-small cell lung cancer who had received chemotherapy CT (+) and 25 non-small cell lung cancer patients who need chemotherapy but did not yet received CT (-). The CT (+) group previously received platinum-based therapy for 3 months to 6 months (the time from their first chemotherapy to the MRI scan). Group comparisons were performed in the regional normalized CBF and CBF connectivity, and the relationship between the regional normalized CBF and cognitive impairment were detected. Results: The CT (+) group exhibited higher CBF in the left insula, right caudate, right superior occipital gyrus, left superior temporal gyrus (STG), and right middle frontal gyrus (MFG). MoCA scores as well as the memory scores were negatively correlated with the increased CBF in the right MFG (r = −0.492, p = 0.023; r = −0.497, p = 0.022). Alterations in the CBF connectivity were detected only in the CT (+) group between the following: right MFG and the right precentral gyrus; the right caudate and the right lingual gyrus; right caudate and right precuneus; left STG and the bilateral MFG; and the left STG and the right middle cingulum. Conclusion: These findings indicated that chemotherapy is associated with abnormalities in the CBF and connectivity alterations, which may contribute to the cognitive impairment in patients with lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Song’an Shang
- Department of Radiology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lanyue Hu
- Department of Radiology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jia You
- Department of Radiology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Gu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Vijaya Prakash Muthaiah
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Yu-Chen Chen
- Department of Radiology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Yu-Chen Chen, ; Xindao Yin,
| | - Xindao Yin
- Department of Radiology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Yu-Chen Chen, ; Xindao Yin,
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19
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Ahn J, Lee D, Jung Y, Kim KR. Structural and functional brain alterations associated with cancer-associated cognitive decline in gastric cancer patients: A preliminary longitudinal neuroimaging study. Brain Behav 2022; 12:e2437. [PMID: 34825514 PMCID: PMC8785631 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite the clinical significance of cancer-associated cognitive decline (CACD), no longitudinal study has evaluated CACD in gastric cancer patients. This preliminary study explored structural and functional neural changes of CACD in gastric cancer patients focusing on the effects of chemotherapy. METHODS 13 gastric cancer patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy (CTx+ group), 9 gastric cancer patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy (CTx- group), and 10 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in this study. We performed self-report questionnaires, neurocognitive tests, voxel-based morphometry (VBM), and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) analyses before and 3 months after chemotherapy. RESULTS Compared to the CTx- group, the CTx+ group exhibited statistically significant decrease in attention and executive function over time and dysfunction in delayed recognition performance. The results of the rsfMRI analysis showed a significant group-by-time interaction in the left hippocampus-anterior thalamus. However, no significant structural change was observed in the VBM analysis. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this is the first longitudinal neuroimaging study on CACD in gastric cancer patients. Based on the results of our preliminary study, we suggest that the neuropathological processes and clinical presentation of CACD in gastric cancer patients is similar to those of patients associated with age-related neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeun Ahn
- Department of PsychiatryYonsei University College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
- Institute of Behavioral Science in MedicineYonsei University College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
- Department of PsychiatryIlsan Hospital, National Health Insurance CorporationGoyangRepublic of Korea
| | - DeokJong Lee
- Institute of Behavioral Science in MedicineYonsei University College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
- Department of PsychiatryYongin Severance HospitalYonsei University College of MedicineYonginSouth Korea
| | - Young‐Chul Jung
- Department of PsychiatryYonsei University College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
- Institute of Behavioral Science in MedicineYonsei University College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Kyung Ran Kim
- Department of PsychiatryYonsei University College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
- Institute of Behavioral Science in MedicineYonsei University College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
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20
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Schroyen G, Vissers J, Smeets A, Gillebert CR, Lemiere J, Sunaert S, Deprez S, Sleurs C. Blood and neuroimaging biomarkers of cognitive sequelae in breast cancer patients throughout chemotherapy: A systematic review. Transl Oncol 2021; 16:101297. [PMID: 34896851 PMCID: PMC8681023 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer treatment can induce alterations in blood- and neuroimaging-based markers. However, an overview of the predictive value of these markers for cognition is lacking for breast cancer survivors. This systematic review summarized studies of the last decade, using the PubMed database, evaluating blood markers, and the association between blood- or structural neuroimaging markers and cognition across the chemotherapy trajectory for primary breast cancer, following PRISMA guidelines. Forty-four studies were included. Differences were observed in all blood marker categories, from on-therapy until years post-chemotherapy. Associations were found between cognitive functioning and (1) blood markers (mainly inflammation-related) during, shortly-, or years post-chemotherapy and (2) white and gray matter metrics in frontal, temporal and parietal brain regions months up until years post-chemotherapy. Preliminary evidence exists for epigenetic and metabolic changes being associated with cognition, only after chemotherapy. This review demonstrated time-dependent associations between specific blood-based and structural neuroimaging markers with cognitive impairment in patients with breast cancer. Future studies are encouraged to include both neuroimaging- and blood markers (e.g. of neuronal integrity, epigenetics and metabolism) to predict long-term cognitive effects of chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwen Schroyen
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Julie Vissers
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ann Smeets
- Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Céline R Gillebert
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Jurgen Lemiere
- Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Stefan Sunaert
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Sabine Deprez
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Sleurs
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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21
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Kesler SR, Tang T, Henneghan AM, Wright M, Gaber MW, Palesh O. Cross-Sectional Characterization of Local Brain Network Connectivity Pre and Post Breast Cancer Treatment and Distinct Association With Subjective Cognitive and Psychological Function. Front Neurol 2021; 12:746493. [PMID: 34777216 PMCID: PMC8586413 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.746493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: We aimed to characterize local brain network connectivity in long-term breast cancer survivors compared to newly diagnosed patients. Methods: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and subjective cognitive and psychological function data were obtained from a group of 76 newly diagnosed, pre-treatment female patients with breast cancer (mean age 57 ± 7 years) and a separate group of 80, post-treatment, female breast cancer survivors (mean age 58 ± 8; mean time since treatment 44 ± 43 months). The network-based statistic (NBS) was used to compare connectivity of local brain edges between groups. Hubs were defined as nodes with connectivity indices one standard deviation or more above network mean and were further classified as provincial (higher intra-subnetwork connectivity) or connector (higher inter-subnetwork connectivity) using the participation coefficient. We determined the hub status of nodes encompassing significantly different edges and correlated the centralities of edges with behavioral measures. Results: The post-treatment group demonstrated significantly lower subjective cognitive function (W = 3,856, p = 0.004) but there were no group differences in psychological distress (W = 2,866, p = 0.627). NBS indicated significantly altered connectivity (p < 0.042, corrected) in the post-treatment group compared to the pre-treatment group largely in temporal, frontal-temporal and temporal-parietal areas. The majority of the regions projecting these connections (78%) met criteria for hub status and significantly less of these hubs were connectors in the post-treatment group (z = 1.85, p = 0.031). Subjective cognitive function and psychological distress were correlated with largely non-overlapping edges in the post-treatment group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Widespread functional network alterations are evident in long-term survivors of breast cancer compared to newly diagnosed patients. We also demonstrated that there are both overlapping and unique brain network signatures for subjective cognitive function vs. psychological distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelli R. Kesler
- School of Nursing, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Tien Tang
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Michelle Wright
- School of Nursing, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - M. Waleed Gaber
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Oxana Palesh
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States
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22
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Bernstein LJ, Edelstein K, Sharma A, Alain C. Chemo-brain: An activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 130:314-325. [PMID: 34454915 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Adults with non-central nervous system (CNS) cancers frequently report problems in attention, memory and executive function during or after chemotherapy, referred to as cancer-related cognitive dysfunction (CRCD). Despite numerous studies investigating CRCD, there is no consensus regarding the brain areas implicated. We sought to determine if there are brain areas that consistently show either hyper- or hypo-activation in people treated with chemotherapy for non-CNS cancer (Chemo+). Using activation likelihood estimation on brain coordinates from 14 fMRI studies yielding 25 contrasts from 375 Chemo+ and 429 chemotherapy-naive controls while they performed cognitive tasks, the meta-analysis yielded two significant clusters which are part of the frontoparietal attention network, both showing lower activation in Chemo+. One cluster peaked in the left superior parietal cortex, extending into precuneus, inferior parietal lobule, and angular gyrus. The other peaked in the right superior prefrontal areas, extending into inferior prefrontal cortex. We propose that these observed lower activations reflect a dysfunction in mobilizing and/or sustaining attention due to depletion of cognitive resources. This could explain higher level of mental fatigue reported by Chemo+ and why cancer survivors report problems in a wide variety of cognitive domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori J Bernstein
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada.
| | - Kim Edelstein
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Alisha Sharma
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Claude Alain
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Centre, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Canada
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23
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Increased resting-state cerebellar-cortical connectivity in breast cancer survivors with cognitive complaints after chemotherapy. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12105. [PMID: 34103606 PMCID: PMC8187392 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91447-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive complaints after chemotherapy are common in breast cancer patients, but the neural bases for these complaints remain unclear. This pilot study explored resting-state functional connectivity (FC) as a marker of subtle cognitive changes in breast cancer patients who experience cognitive complaints. Chemotherapy-treated (n = 20, at least 6 months off therapy) and untreated (n = 17, disease-control) female breast cancer patients with cognitive complaints and healthy controls (n = 20) were recruited. The FC of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was calculated, and any correlations between this FC and neuropsychological assessments were determined. Chemotherapy-treated patients with cognitive complaints displayed increased FC between the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and both the contralateral cerebellar lobule VII and the cerebellar vermis XI, compared to the disease-control and healthy-control groups, despite unimpaired neuropsychological performance. The increased FC was negatively correlated with executive function and attention in breast cancer survivors with cognitive complaints. Our pilot study findings provide evidence that cerebellar-cortical FC changes may be a pathophysiological basis for chemotherapy-related cognitive complaints. In addition, the FC changes have the potential to reflect minor or compensated cognitive function impairment in breast cancer patients.
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24
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Lomeli N, Lepe J, Gupta K, Bota DA. Cognitive complications of cancer and cancer-related treatments - Novel paradigms. Neurosci Lett 2021; 749:135720. [PMID: 33582187 PMCID: PMC8423125 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
As advances in diagnostics and therapeutic strategies in oncology have increased the number of cancer survivors, the investigation of the mechanisms associated with long-term cognitive complications of cancer treatment has become an important topic of interest. The neurotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic agents have been described in pre-clinical and clinical research. In vitro and rodent studies have identified some underlying mechanisms contributing to chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity and cognitive impairment for various chemotherapy drugs and other cancer treatments. However, investigation of the direct biological effects of cancer and other potential contributing factors in the pathogenesis of cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) has only recently come into focus. This review will highlight evidence from pre-clinical tumor-bearing rodent models suggesting that cancer influences the cognitive and behavioral changes reported in human cancer populations through direct or indirect pathways that alter the normal neuroinflammatory responses, induce structural brain deficits, and decrease neurogenesis. We reflect on human clinical cancer research indicating that cognitive and behavioral changes precede cancer treatment in some malignancies. We also highlight implications for future areas of CRCI research based on novel findings on the interplay between cancer, chemotherapy, inflammation, tau pathology, and dysregulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Lomeli
- Department of Neurology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Javier Lepe
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Kalpna Gupta
- Department of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Daniela A Bota
- Department of Neurology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
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25
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Feng Y, Wang YF, Zheng LJ, Shi Z, Huang W, Zhang LJ. Network-level functional connectivity alterations in chemotherapy treated breast cancer patients: a longitudinal resting state functional MRI study. Cancer Imaging 2020; 20:73. [PMID: 33066822 PMCID: PMC7565338 DOI: 10.1186/s40644-020-00355-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies have found abnormal structural and functional brain alterations in breast cancer survivors undergoing chemotherapy. However, the network-level brain changes following chemotherapy remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dynamic changes of large-scale within- and between-network functional connectivity in chemotherapy-treated breast cancer patients. Methods Seventeen breast cancer patients were evaluated with resting state functional MRI (rs-fMRI), neuropsychological tests and blood examination before postoperative chemotherapy (t0), one week after completing chemotherapy (t1) and six months after completing chemotherapy (t2). Nineteen age- and education level-matched healthy controls (HC) were also recruited. Independent components analysis (ICA) was performed to assess network component using rs-fMRI data. The functional network changes were then correlated with cognitive assessment scores and blood biochemical indexes. Results One-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed significantly changed within-network functional connectivity in the anterior and posterior default mode network (ADMN and PDMN), left and right frontoparietal network (LFPN and RFPN), visual network and self-referential network. Post-hoc test showed that decreased within-network functional connectivity in ADMN, PDMN, LFPN, RFPN, SRN and central network one week after chemotherapy and increased six months after chemotherapy (all P < 0.05). As for the between-network functional connectivity, the PDMN- sensorimotor network connectivity showed the same tendency. Most of these within- and between-network functional connectivity changes were negatively associated with blood biochemical indexes and cognitive assessment scores (all P < 0.05). Conclusions These results indicated that chemotherapy may induce widespread abnormalities in resting state networks, which may serve as a potential biomarker of chemotherapy related cognitive impairment, providing insights for further functional recovery treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Feng
- Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Clinical Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, 305 Zhongshan East Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Medical Imaging, Medical Imaging Center, The Affiliated Huai'an No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, 223300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yun Fei Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 305 Zhongshan East Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li Juan Zheng
- Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 305 Zhongshan East Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhao Shi
- Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 305 Zhongshan East Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Medical Imaging Center, The Affiliated Huai'an No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, 223300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Long Jiang Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Clinical Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, 305 Zhongshan East Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China. .,Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 305 Zhongshan East Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China. .,Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Clinical Hospital, Southern Medical University, 305 Zhongshan East Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China.
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26
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Aberrant static and dynamic functional connectivity of the executive control network in lung cancer patients after chemotherapy: a longitudinal fMRI study. Brain Imaging Behav 2020; 14:927-940. [PMID: 32304022 PMCID: PMC7275001 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-020-00287-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of the current study was to investigate chemotherapy-related variations in the intrinsic static and dynamic functional connectivity (sFC and dFC, respectively) of the executive control network (ECN) in lung cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, we evaluated 18 lung cancer patients scanned before and after adjuvant chemotherapy treatment and compared the patients with 21 healthy controls (HCs). All subjects underwent resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). We constructed the sFC and dFC of the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) using a sliding-window approach, and the correlations between the changed sFC or dFC and cognitive performance were analyzed. RESULTS Whole-brain sFC analysis showed that the lung cancer patients showed significant FC pattern changes in the bilateral DLPFC, mainly in the bilateral superior frontal gyrus (SFG), bilateral middle frontal gyrus, left superior temporal gyrus, left inferior parietal lobe and the right insula. Furthermore, after chemotherapy, the lung cancer patients showed significantly reduced dFC variability between the right DLPFC and right precuneus compared with HCs. In addition, the decreased dFC between the right DLPFC and left SFG in the lung cancer patients after chemotherapy in state 1 and between the right DLPFC and left insula in the lung cancer patients before chemotherapy in state 2 were negatively correlated with MoCA scores ((r = -0.520, p = 0.039; r = -0.548, p = 0.028, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Our results reveal that dynamic connectivity analysis is more effective and sensitive than methods that assume static brain states for linking brain FC patterns and chemotherapy.
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