Dynamic changes in brain glymphatic function during preoperative chemotherapy in breast cancer patients

• Published in: Journal of cancer research and therapeutics Vol. 20; no. 4; pp. 1306 - 1313
• Main Authors: Gao, Yajuan, Wang, Yang, Lu, Jiabin, Lian, Jingge, Yang, Liu, Liu, Jing, Wang, Aibo, He, Qingyuan, Han, Hongbin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd 01.08.2024
• Subjects: Adult; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Brain - diagnostic imaging; Brain - drug effects; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Breast Neoplasms - surgery; Case-Control Studies; Chemotherapy; Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Impairment; Cognition - drug effects; Cognitive ability; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Female; Glymphatic System; Humans; Middle Aged; Preoperative Care - methods
• ISSN: 0973-1482; 1998-4138; 1998-4138
• DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_517_24

The current study aimed to investigate the dynamic changes in brain glymphatic function during chemotherapy in breast cancer patients (BCP) and their correlation with cognitive function. A total of 40 healthy female participants (control group) and 80 female BCP were included. Various cognitive assessment tools were used to evaluate cognitive function. Diffusion tensor imaging along the perivascular space was employed to measure brain glymphatic function. Following chemotherapy, BCP exhibited a significant decline in various cognitive scores. After chemotherapy, the along the perivascular space index, a parameter indicating brain glymphatic function, was slightly higher than that at baseline and the control group levels and was correlated with cognitive scores. This study unveiled a close relationship between the dynamic changes in brain glymphatic function after chemotherapy and cognitive function in BCP. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the brain mechanisms underlying chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment and provide a theoretical basis for future interventions and treatments. In addition, they offer a new perspective for exploring the relationship between brain function and cognitive states.