Cognitive dysfunction induced by cranial radiotherapy: mechanisms and therapeutic methods.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Oncology
• Radiology

Background:

• Cranial radiotherapy can lead to cognitive dysfunction due to damage to normal brain tissues.
• This dysfunction is linked to hippocampal injury, white matter damage, and microvascular injury.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction induced by cranial radiotherapy and combined chemoradiotherapy.
• To summarize advances in therapeutic methods for radiotherapy-induced brain injury.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of mechanisms of radiotherapy-induced brain injury.
• Summary of current and future therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

• Mechanisms include impaired neurogenesis, neuronal and glial cell damage, vascular injury, oxidative stress, DNA damage, cell death, and inflammation.
• Blood-brain barrier disruption exacerbates damage.
• Current prevention methods include precision radiotherapy, stem cell transplantation, and neuroprotective drugs.

Conclusions:

• Combined precision radiotherapy and neuroprotective drugs may offer enhanced neuroprotection.
• Future strategies involve nanoenzymes and drug delivery nano-systems to overcome blood-brain barrier challenges.