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Cerebral blood flow and structural connectivity after working memory or physical training in paediatric cancer
Schuerch Kirstin1,2,3,4, Grieder Matthias4, Benzing Valetin1,2,5
1Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Insights
Working memory training may improve cognitive function in paediatric cancer survivors by altering brain activity and connectivity. Physical training did not show similar neurophysiological effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Paediatric Oncology
- Cognitive Rehabilitation
Background:
- Paediatric cancer survivors frequently experience long-term cognitive deficits, necessitating interventions to enhance cognitive function.
- Cognitive impairments significantly impact survivors' quality of life and daily functioning.
- Targeting cognitive rehabilitation is crucial for improving outcomes in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neurophysiological effects of working memory training and physical training on cognitive function in paediatric cancer survivors.
- To compare cerebral changes associated with working memory training versus physical training.
- To explore the relationship between cognitive changes and neuroimaging findings.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 34 paediatric cancer survivors (non-brain tumour) one year post-treatment.
- Participants were randomized into working memory training (n=10), physical training (n=11), or a control group (n=13).
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including arterial spin labelling and diffusion tensor imaging, alongside cognitive assessments, were conducted at baseline, post-training, and at a three-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- Working memory training led to decreased cerebral blood flow immediately post-intervention (p=.038) and increased structural connectivity at follow-up (p=.025).
- Physical training did not yield significant cerebral changes.
- Short-term cerebral blood flow changes correlated with cognitive flexibility (r=-.667, p=.049), and long-term structural connectivity changes correlated with working memory improvements (r=.786, p=.021).
Conclusions:
- Working memory training shows potential for inducing neurophysiological changes in paediatric cancer survivors.
- The findings suggest a link between working memory training and improvements in brain structure and function.
- Further research with larger sample sizes is warranted to confirm these neurocognitive rehabilitation effects.
Abstract:
Paediatric cancer survivors often suffer from cognitive long-term difficulties. Consequently, strengthening cognition is of major clinical relevance. This study investigated cerebral changes in relation to cognition in non-brain tumour paediatric cancer survivors after working memory or physical training compared to a control group. Thirty-four children (≥one-year post-treatment) either underwent eight weeks of working memory training (n = 10), physical training (n = 11), or a waiting period (n = 13). Cognition and MRI, including arterial spin labelling and diffusion tensor imaging, were assessed at three time points (baseline, post-training, and three-month follow-up). Results show lower cerebral blood flow immediately after working memory training (z = -2.073, p = .038) and higher structural connectivity at the three-month follow-up (z = -2.240, p = .025). No cerebral changes occurred after physical training. Short-term changes in cerebral blood flow correlated with short-term changes in cognitive flexibility (r = -.667, p = .049), while long-term changes in structural connectivity correlated with long-term changes in working memory (r = .786, p = .021). Despite the caution given when interpreting data from small samples, this study suggests a link between working memory training and neurophysiological changes. Further research is needed to validate these findings.
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