Radiotherapy-Induced Neuronal Dysfunction in Patients with Brain Tumors: Dose-Volume Effects, Imaging Biomarkers and...

Area of Science:

• Neuro-oncology
• Radiation Oncology
• Neurology

Background:

• Brain tumors are a significant cause of neurological disability and death.
• Radiotherapy is crucial for brain tumor treatment but can induce adverse effects in healthy brain tissue.
• Understanding radiation-induced neuronal dysfunction is vital for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize evidence on radiation-induced neuronal dysfunction.
• To integrate dose-volume parameters, neuroimaging biomarkers, and clinical manifestations.
• To provide a structured overview for risk stratification and neuroprotection.

Main Methods:

• Structured literature review of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science.
• Inclusion of studies on dose-volume effects, neuroimaging, and clinical outcomes post-cranial radiotherapy.
• Synthesis of data linking radiation parameters to neurological effects.

Main Results:

• Dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters (mean brain dose, V10-V30, hippocampal dose) correlate with cognitive decline.
• Conventional MRI shows structural changes (white matter injury, radionecrosis).
• Advanced MRI (DTI, fMRI) detects microstructural damage and network disruption, correlating with clinical deficits.

Conclusions:

• Radiation-induced neuronal dysfunction is complex, involving more than just tissue injury.
• Combining dose-volume data with advanced imaging biomarkers can enhance risk assessment.
• This integration may facilitate the development of neuroprotective strategies for radiotherapy patients.