Breast Cancer
Conditions
Keywords
Cognitive dysfunction, Inflammation, Fatigue, Decreased motivation
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to try and provide data linking the impact of increased inflammatory cytokines as a result of chemotherapy and their relationship with increased levels of CNS glutamate and related behavioral and cognitive consequences in breast cancer patients. The investigators will use neuropsychiatric assessments, blood sampling and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) to collect study data.
Detailed description
Approximately 70% of women with breast cancer experience behavioral and/or cognitive symptoms during treatment with chemotherapy and approximately 30% of women continue to experience these symptoms months to years after treatment completion. There is mounting data to suggest that inflammation may be involved and indicate that chemotherapy-treated breast cancer patients exhibit higher inflammatory markers than non-chemotherapy-treated patients, and inflammatory markers including interleukin (IL)-6 and soluble tumor necrosis factor (sTNFR2) have been associated with chemotherapy-induced depression and fatigue.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Emory University
Study design
Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
21 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Female breast cancer patients will have undergone surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy) with or without neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy * Age between 21-65 years
Exclusion criteria
* Taking trastuzumab
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ratio of Glutamate to Creatine | Baseline | Single voxel MRS (Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy) scans will be done to determine the glutamate levels in the dACC (dorsal anterior cingulate cortex), basal ganglia and hippocampus and the glutamate/ creatine (Glu/Cr) ratio will be calculated.MRS utilizes a magnetic field to look at magnetic nuclei, which absorb and re-emit electromagnetic energy in the presence of the magnetic field. By looking at the peaks in the resultant spectra the structure and concentration of metabolites can be determined. |
| Levels of peripheral blood markers of inflammation | Baseline | Peripheral blood samples will be analyzed for levels of plasma c-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and its soluble receptors (sTNFR1 and 2), interleukin (IL)-1 beta and the IL-1 receptor antagonist, and IL-6 and its soluble receptor (sIL-6R). |
| Cognitive dysfunction | Baseline | Cognitive measures of processing speed, attention, executive function, memory and motivation will be assessed. |
| Behavioral assessments | Baseline | Behavioral assessments will be done to assessed to measure depression and anxiety. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed