Prechemotherapy alterations in brain function in women with breast cancer.
Despite clinical reports of cognitive deficits associated with cancer chemotherapy, the underlying brain mechanisms are not clear. This research examined selective attention and working memory using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in women before chemotherapy for localized breast cancer. Patients were tested with an established selective attention and working memory task during fMRI. Compared with healthy controls, patients showed (a) bilateral brain activation in high-demand task conditions with recruitment of additional components of attention/working memory circuitry, and (b) less accurate and slower task performance. Results indicate compromised cognitive functioning before any chemotherapy and raise key questions for further research.
Cimprich
Bernadine
B
School of Nursing, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. cimprich@umich.edu
Reuter-Lorenz
Patricia
P
Nelson
James
J
Clark
Patricia M
PM
Therrien
Barbara
B
Normolle
Daniel
D
Berman
Marc G
MG
Hayes
Daniel F
DF
Noll
Douglas C
DC
Peltier
Scott
S
Welsh
Robert C
RC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology