Longitudinal effects of breast cancer treatment on neural correlates of attention Journal Article


Authors: Melara, R. D.; Ahles, T. A.; Prashad, N.; Fernbach, M.; Edelman, J. A.; Root, J.
Article Title: Longitudinal effects of breast cancer treatment on neural correlates of attention
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Cognitive dysfunction has been observed consistently in a subset of breast cancer survivors. Yet, the precise physiological and processing origins of dysfunction remain unknown. The current study examined the utility of methods and procedures based on cognitive neuroscience to study cognitive change associated with cancer and cancer treatment. METHODS: We used electroencephalogram and behavioral measures in a longitudinal design to investigate pre- versus post-treatment effects on attention performance in breast cancer patients (n = 15) compared with healthy controls (n = 24), as participants completed the revised Attention Network Test, a cognitive measure of alerting, orienting, and inhibitory control of attention. RESULTS: We found no group differences in behavioral performance from pretest to posttest, but significant event-related potential effects of cancer treatment in processing cue validity: After treatment, patients revealed decreased N1 amplitude and increased P3 amplitude, suggesting a suppressed early (N1) response and an exaggerated late (P3) response to invalid cues. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that treatment-related attentional disruption begins in early sensory/perceptual processing and extends to compensatory top-down executive processes. © The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
Keywords: breast cancer; breast neoplasms; physiology; breast tumor; neuropsychological tests; neuropsychological assessment; attention; electroencephalography; reaction time; evoked response; evoked potentials; association; complication; eeg; longitudinal; humans; human; female; cues; executive functioning
Journal Title: Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology
Volume: 38
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0887-6177
Publisher: Oxford University Press  
Date Published: 2023-02-01
Start Page: 12
End Page: 24
Language: English
DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acac051
PUBMED: 35901461
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC9868529
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 March 2023 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Tim A Ahles
    183 Ahles
  2. James Charles Root
    113 Root