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Alterations in brain structure and function in breast cancer survivors: effect of post-chemotherapy interval and relation to oxidative DNA damage

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Abstract

Neuroimaging studies have begun to uncover the neural substrates of cancer and treatment-related cognitive dysfunction, but the time course of these changes in the years following chemotherapy is unclear. This study analyzed multimodality 3T MRI scans to examine the structural and functional effects of chemotherapy and post-chemotherapy interval (PCI) in a cohort of breast cancer survivors (BCS; n = 24; PCI mean 6, range 3–10 y) relative to age- and education-matched healthy controls (HC; n = 23). Assessments included voxel-based morphometry for gray matter density (GMD) and fMRI for activation profile during a 3-back working memory task. The relationships between brain regions associated with PCI and neuropsychological performance, self-reported cognition, and oxidative and direct DNA damage as measured in peripheral lymphocytes were assessed in secondary analyses. PCI was positively associated with GMD and activation on fMRI in the right anterior frontal region (Brodmann Areas 9 and 10) independent of participant age. GMD in this region was also positively correlated with global neuropsychological function. Memory dysfunction, cognitive complaints, and oxidative DNA damages were increased in BCS compared with HC. Imaging results indicated lower fMRI activation in several regions in the BCS group. BCS also had lower GMD than HC in several regions, and in these regions, GMD was inversely related to oxidative DNA damage and learning and memory neuropsychological domain scores. This is the first study to show structural and functional effects of PCI and to relate oxidative DNA damage to brain alterations in BCS. The relationship between neuroimaging and cognitive function indicates the potential clinical relevance of these findings. The relationship with oxidative DNA damage provides a mechanistic clue warranting further investigation.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute (R01CA101318, PI:AJS; R25CA117865, PI: VLC), the American Cancer Society (ACS RSGBP-04-089-01-PBP, PI: VLC), The Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center Translational Research Acceleration Collaboration (PI: FWU), The National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging (F30 AG039959, PI: SKC), and the Indiana University Medical Scientist Training Program (National Institute of General Medical Sciences GM077229-02).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Neuroimaging, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, 355 W. 16th St., GH Suite 4100, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Susan K. Conroy, Brenna C. McDonald, Dori J. Smith, John D. West & Andrew J. Saykin

  2. Medical Scientist Training Program and Medical Neurosciences Graduate Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Susan K. Conroy

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Lyndsi R. Moser & Frederick W. Unverzagt

  4. Department of Environmental Health, Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, IN, USA

    Lisa M. Kamendulis & James E. Klaunig

  5. Center for Research and Scholarship, Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Victoria L. Champion

  6. Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Brenna C. McDonald, Lisa M. Kamendulis, James E. Klaunig, Victoria L. Champion, Frederick W. Unverzagt & Andrew J. Saykin

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  1. Susan K. Conroy
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  2. Brenna C. McDonald
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Correspondence to Andrew J. Saykin.

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Conroy, S.K., McDonald, B.C., Smith, D.J. et al. Alterations in brain structure and function in breast cancer survivors: effect of post-chemotherapy interval and relation to oxidative DNA damage. Breast Cancer Res Treat 137, 493–502 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-012-2385-x

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