Assessment of Cognitive Functions in Patients Receiving Whole Brain Radiotherapy in Assiut University Hospitals.

Brain Tumors Treated by Whole Brain Radition

Whole Brain Radiotherapy (WBRT) is widely used to manage brain metastases and primary brain tumors, but it frequently leads to cognitive decline, affecting patients' quality of life. Cognitive impairments after WBRT can manifest in various domains, including memory, attention, executive function, and processing speed. These changes are attributed to direct radiation damage to neural tissues, particularly the hippocampus and white matter tracts, as well as secondary effects such as inflammation and vascular injury. Existing literature reports that up to 30% of patients may experience significant cognitive deterioration after WBRT, with the degree of impairment influenced by factors like total radiation dose, fractionation schedule, patient age, and baseline cognitive function. Despite these concerns, there is currently no standardized protocol for assessing cognitive changes in patients undergoing WBRT. Hippocampal avoidance and neuroprotective agents like memantine have shown potential in mitigating cognitive side effects, but their implementation remains inconsistent. Furthermore, routine cognitive assessments are not yet part of standard clinical practice, leading to a reactive rather than proactive approach to managing cognitive decline. This gap in early detection and standardized cognitive monitoring highlights the need for better methods to understand and manage the cognitive consequences of WBRT. Without systematic assessment, cognitive impairments may go unrecognized until they significantly impact daily functioning, emphasizing the importance of addressing this issue to better support patients undergoing whole brain radiotherapy.

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