Principal Investigator - Prof Val Jenkins
Researcher - Dr Helena Harder
Funder: Breast Cancer Campaign
Chemotherapy and Cognition
Many women treated with chemotherapy for breast cancer report memory & attention problems. The mechanisms underlying "chemo-cog" are not clear but include stress and coping styles. Research suggests that elevated levels of peripheral inflammatory cytokines may be involved. Our feasibility study examined relationships between cognitive performance, quality of life (QoL), fatigue, blood factors and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in two groups of women with Early Breast Cancer (EBC). One group received chemotherapy (CG) and the other did not (NCG).
The hypothesis that chemotherapy induced fatigue is mediated by changes in inflammatory factors is supported by our data. Imaging data are suggestive of changes in circuits targeted by cytokines. It proved difficult to recruit women to undergo a battery of tests and investigations in the pre-operative period. Minimal objective cognitive changes across time were found but women in CG reported more fatigue, and lower scores on measures of QoL.
Current Stage:
Archived
Publication
A feasibility study exploring the role of pre-operative assessment when examining the mechanism of 'chemo-brain' in breast cancer patients https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-016-2030-yPoster
Feasibility study to examine underlying mechanisms for "chemo-cog" posters/St Gallen poster.pdf Presented at St. Gallen International Breast Care Conference 2015