Clinical patterns and biological correlates of cognitive dysfunction associated with cancer therapy.
Standard oncological therapies, such as chemotherapy and cranial radiotherapy, frequently result in a spectrum of neurocognitive deficits that includes impaired learning, memory, attention, and speed of information processing. In addition to classical mechanisms of neurotoxicity associated with chemo- and radiotherapy, such as radiation necrosis and leukoencephalopathy, damage to dynamic progenitor cell populations in the brain is emerging as an important etiologic factor. Radiation- and chemotherapy-induced damage to progenitor populations responsible for maintenance of white matter integrity and adult hippocampal neurogenesis is now believed to play a major role in the neurocognitive impairment many cancer survivors experience.
Dietrich
Jörg
J
Department of Neurology, Division of Neuro-Oncology, Stephen E and Catherine Pappas Center for Neuro-Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. jdietrich1@partners.org
Monje
Michelle
M
Wefel
Jeffrey
J
Meyers
Christina
C
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents