title: The Impact of Endocrine Therapy on Cognitive Functions of Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present review was to study the impact of endocrine therapy (ET) on the cognitive outcomes of breast cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We systematically searched the literature using the MEDLINE (1966-2015), Scopus (2004-2015), ClinicalTrials.gov (2008-2015) and Cochrane Central Register (CENTRAL) databases, as well as the references of the electronically retrieved articles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve studies were included in the present systematic review, which assessed the cognitive function of 2756 patients. Among these patients, 2381 received ET, whereas the remaining 375 served as controls (placebo or no therapy). The majority of patients were postmenopausal, and the minimum follow-up period was 3 months and the maximum 2 years. Treatment with ET seems to be accompanied by altered cognitive abilities, including verbal memory, verbal fluency, motor speed, attention and working memory. Tamoxifen seems to be related to decreased cognitive performances compared with treatment with an aromatase inhibitor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ET among breast cancer patients seems to negatively alter the cognitive outcomes of breast cancer patients. However, the methodological heterogeneity of the included studies, as well as the relatively small follow-up period, render imperative the conduct of further studies in the field.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bakoyiannis
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Eleousa-Alexandra
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Tsigka
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Despina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Perrea
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. pergialiotis@yahoo.com.|, 6, Danaidon Str., 15232, Halandri, Greece. pergialiotis@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Vasilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pergialiotis
mesh_terms: D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators