Investigating cognitive dysfunction in cancer survivors based on neurocognitive and brain activity changes

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K20286
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0110:Psychology and related fields
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: Saita Kazuya 広島大学, 医系科学研究科(保), 助教 (30911565)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: ケモブレイン / ケモフォグ / ブレインフォグ / 化学療法 / 高次脳機能 / NIRS / CRCI / CRCD

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have been studying the cancer-related cognitive impairments (CRCI), especially chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairments(CICI) called "chemobrain," which are factors that prevents cancer survivors from returning to society. CRCIs may occur before treatment, and consensus assessment methods have not been identified. In this study, through a scoping review, we found assessment tools of CICIs that has international generalizability and can be used nationally. Furthermore, we have successfully established the safety and feasible measurement protocols for a portable neuroimaging device. Based on these results, we conducted a longitudinal study with our university hospital to investigate cognitive function before and after chemotherapy for gastrointestinal cancers. The results showed that there was no significantly difference in cognitive function and brain activity assessments before chemotherapy for the gastrointestinal cancer group compared to the healthy control group.

Free Research Field

がんの認知機能障害

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ケモブレインおよびCRCIの実態を捉えるために、従来の主観的かつ客観的評価のみならず脳活動評価の観点から多角的評価を用いた研究プロトコルを確立した。また、諸外国に比して本邦からのCRCIの報告は乏しく、乳がん以外の報告数が少ないことがレビュー研究から示されたが、国内の消化管がんを対象とした認知機能障害に関する前向き試験を施行している点で独創的かつ発展性を有しており、学術的・社会的意義を有する。