Biological bases of cognitive impairment induced by antinoeplastic treatment

Often patients treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy suffer memory and attention problems. The exact mechanisms of action are unknown, although several explanations have been proposed. Both chemotherapy and radiotherapy have a direct toxic effect in the CNS, especially neural progenitor cell...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jaime Feliu, Sonia López-Santiago, Virginia Martínez-Marín, Ana Belén Custodio, Juan Antonio Cruzado
Format: Article
Language:Spanish
Published: Universidad Complutense de Madrid 2012-01-01
Series:Psicooncologia
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Online Access:http://revistas.ucm.es/index.php/PSIC/article/view/37877
Description
Summary:Often patients treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy suffer memory and attention problems. The exact mechanisms of action are unknown, although several explanations have been proposed. Both chemotherapy and radiotherapy have a direct toxic effect in the CNS, especially neural progenitor cells and the glia, which are responsible for maintaining neurogenesis in the hippocampus and white matter integrity. Besides the treatments can induce vascular damage in the brain, altering the immune response mediated by cytokines, and hormonal changes secondary to either chemotherapy or hormone therapy itself. The intensity of these effects would be modulated by several genetic factors that influence the ability of neuronal repair, pharmacodynamics and activity of neurotransmitters.
ISSN:1696-7240
1988-8287