title: Long-lasting impairments in adult neurogenesis, spatial learning and memory from a standard chemotherapy regimen used to treat breast cancer.
abstract: The negative impact of chemotherapy on cognitive function in cancer patients has gained increasing attention in the last decade. Whilst the short-term acute effects on cognition are expected following chemotherapy, the persistence of such impairments in the long-term is still in question. This is despite clinical evidence indicating cognitive difficulties may persist well beyond treatment and affect quality of life. In the present study, we assessed the long-term (3 months) cognitive impact of chemotherapy in a mouse model intended to mimic the human female post-menopausal population receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. Ovariectomized, female, C57BL/6J mice received two doses of Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide, and 5-Fluorouracil or saline vehicle (control), separated by one week. During this interval, mice received BrdU injections to label dividing cells. Results indicate a persistent impairment in learning and recall (1h, 24h and 48h) on the Morris water maze, reduced survival and differentiation of new neurons (BrdU+/NeuN+), and a persistent decline in proliferation of new cells (Ki67(+)) in the dentate gyrus. Locomotor activity, motor performance, and anxiety-like behavior were unaffected. We further evaluated the efficacy of a diet enriched in omega-3-fatty acids (DHA+EPA+DPA), in reversing long-term chemotherapy deficits but no rescue was observed. The model described produces long-term cognitive and cellular impairments from chemotherapy that mimic those observed in humans. It could be useful for identifying mechanisms of action and to test further the ability of lifestyle interventions (e.g., diet) for ameliorating chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairments.
authors.affiliation: Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, 405 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, United States; Center for Nutrition, Learning and Memory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, United States. Electronic address: acnr@illinois.edu.
authors.forename: Catarina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rendeiro
authors.affiliation: Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, 405 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, United States.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sheriff
authors.affiliation: Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, 405 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, United States.
authors.forename: Tushar K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
authors.affiliation: Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, 405 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, United States.
authors.forename: Joseph V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Gogola
authors.affiliation: Discovery R&D, Abbott Nutrition, Columbus, OH, United States.
authors.forename: Jeffrey H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Baxter
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, United States.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, United States.
authors.forename: William G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Helferich
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, United States.
authors.forename: Edward J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.affiliation: Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, 405 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801, United States; Center for Nutrition, Learning and Memory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, United States; Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, United States; Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, United States. Electronic address: jrhodes@illinois.edu.
authors.forename: Justin S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Rhodes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D002452:Cell Count; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000009:adverse effects; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000378:metabolism; D065853:Spatial Learning / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; D005472:Fluorouracil
keywords: Chemotherapy; Fish-oil; Learning; Memory; Neurogenesis; PUFAs