Scientists study chemo effect on the brain

TOKYO, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- A Japanese-led study has linked chemotherapy with short-term structural changes in cognitive areas of the brain.

The study -- led by Dr. Masatoshi Inagaki of the Breast Cancer Survivors' Brain MRI Database Group in Japan -- showed that within 12 months of receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, significant regions of the brain associated with memory, analysis and other cognitive functions were significantly smaller in breast cancer patients who received chemotherapy than those who did not.

But within four years after treatment, there were no differences in those same regions of the brain.

The researchers, using magnetic resonance imaging, found that at one-year, patients treated with chemotherapy had smaller volumes in cognitively sensitive areas, such as the prefrontal, parahippocampal and cingulate gyri, and precuneus regions. However, at three-years after surgery there were no volume differences.

The authors say their study suggests adjuvant chemotherapy could have a temporary effect on brain structure.

The research is detailed online in the journal Cancer and will be published in the journal's Jan. 1 print issue.