Cognitive effects of cytotoxic cancer chemotherapy: predisposing risk factors and potential treatments.
Increasing evidence suggests that systemic cancer chemotherapy can have significant long-term effects on cognition, particularly on verbal learning, memory, attention, and speed of information processing. These deficits can be a source of significant distress to survivors. There is much less known about the mechanisms, predisposing vulnerabilities, and treatment of these deficits. We will summarize current knowledge of chemotherapy-associated cognitive deficits. Emerging theories about the role of selected genetic polymorphisms in heightening the vulnerability to chemotherapy-induced cognitive decline will be described.
McAllister
Thomas W
TW
Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Medical School and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA. thomas.w.mcallister@dartmouth.edu
Ahles
Tim A
TA
Saykin
Andrew J
AJ
Ferguson
Robert J
RJ
McDonald
Brenna C
BC
Lewis
Lionel D
LD
Flashman
Laura A
LA
Rhodes
C Harker
CH
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors