Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
11:24
Stem Cell Transplantation Strategies for the Restoration of Cognitive Dysfunction Caused by Cranial Radiotherapy
Published on: October 18, 2011
14.8K
Hippocampal Avoidance -Whole Brain Radiotherapy (HA-WBRT) with Simultaneous Integrated Boost (SIB) with Memantine in
A Joyce Christina1, Tanvir Pasha1, Nithin B Valuvil1
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Neurology India
|July 24, 2025
Summary
Hippocampal-avoidance whole-brain radiotherapy (HA-WBRT) with memantine significantly improved neurocognitive function and quality of life in brain metastasis patients. This advanced radiotherapy technique offers a promising option for managing brain metastases.
Area of Science:
- Radiation Oncology
- Neuro-oncology
- Clinical Neurosciences
Background:
- Brain metastasis (BM) poses a significant threat to patient survival and quality of life.
- Traditional whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) often leads to severe neurocognitive decline.
- Emerging techniques like hippocampal-avoidance WBRT (HA-WBRT) combined with memantine show potential for improved patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the neurocognitive effects of HA-WBRT with a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) and memantine in patients diagnosed with limited brain metastases (oligo brain metastases).
- To assess the impact of this treatment on patients' quality of life.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 36 participants with oligo brain metastases was conducted between September 2019 and March 2022.
- Participants received HA-WBRT with SIB and oral memantine (10 mg twice daily) throughout radiotherapy and for 12 weeks post-treatment.
- Neurocognitive function and quality of life were assessed at multiple time points using validated tools including MMSE, TMT A/B, HVLT, and EORTC BN20.
Main Results:
- Neurocognitive assessments revealed significant improvements over the 6-month follow-up period, with notable increases in MMSE, TMT B, and HVLT scores.
- Quality of life scores, measured by the EORTC QOL, also showed significant improvement from baseline.
- The study reported a 26% complete response rate and a 56% partial response rate at 3 months, with a median survival of 9.6 months.
Conclusions:
- HA-WBRT with SIB and memantine represents a viable and effective treatment strategy for patients with brain metastases, leading to enhanced neurocognitive function and quality of life.
- Despite potentially higher radiation doses to the hippocampi, this approach demonstrated significant neurocognitive improvements within 3 months post-treatment.
- Further research is warranted to comprehensively analyze long-term survival and neurocognitive outcomes.
