title: Using lithium as a neuroprotective agent in patients with cancer.
abstract: Neurocognitive impairment is being increasingly recognized as an important issue in patients with cancer who develop cognitive difficulties either as part of direct or indirect involvement of the nervous system or as a consequence of either chemotherapy-related or radiotherapy-related complications. Brain radiotherapy in particular can lead to significant cognitive defects. Neurocognitive decline adversely affects quality of life, meaningful employment, and even simple daily activities. Neuroprotection may be a viable and realistic goal in preventing neurocognitive sequelae in these patients, especially in the setting of cranial irradiation. Lithium is an agent that has been in use for psychiatric disorders for decades, but recently there has been emerging evidence that it can have a neuroprotective effect.This review discusses neurocognitive impairment in patients with cancer and the potential for investigating the use of lithium as a neuroprotectant in such patients.
authors.affiliation: Andrew Love Cancer Centre, Geelong Hospital, Victoria, Australia. m.khasraw@deakin.edu.au
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khasraw
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ashley
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wheeler
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berk
mesh_terms: D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D008094:Lithium