Functional Network Connectivity Reveals the Brain Functional Alterations in Breast Cancer Survivors

Journal of Clinical Medicine

Stephanie Combs¹  Tatyana Bukkieva²  Gennadiy Trufanov²  Maria Pospelova²  Varvara Krasnikova²  Aleksandr Efimtsev²  Elena Gorbunova²  Albina Makhanova²  Tatyana Alekseeva²  Olga Fionik²  Maxim Shevtsov²  Anatoliy Levchuk²  Konstantin Samochernych² 

[1] Department of Radiation Oncology, Technishe Universität München (TUM), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Ismaningerstr. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany;Personalized Medicine Centre, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 2 Akkuratova Str., 197341 Saint Petersburg, Russia;

关键词: breast cancer;    breast cancer treatment;    post-mastectomy pain syndrome;    functional MRI;    connectome;    default mode network;   

DOI  :  10.3390/jcm11030617

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Different neurological and psychiatric disorders such as vertebrobasilar insufficiency, chronic pain syndrome, anxiety, and depression are observed in more than 90% of patients after treatment for breast cancer and may cause alterations in the functional connectivity of the default mode network. The purpose of the present study is to assess changes in the functional connectivity of the default mode network in patients after breast cancer treatment using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Rs-fMRI was performed using a 3.0T MR-scanner on patients (N = 46, women) with neurological disorders (chronic pain, dizziness, headaches, and/or tinnitus) in the late postoperative period (>12 months) after Patey radical mastectomy for breast cancer. According to the intergroup statistical analysis, there were differences in the functional connectivity of the default mode network in all 46 patients after breast cancer treatment compared to the control group (p < 0.01). The use of rs-fMRI in in breast cancer survivors allowed us to identify changes in the functional connectivity in the brain caused by neurological disorders, which correlated with a decreased quality of life in these patients. The results indicate the necessity to improve treatment and rehabilitation methods in this group of patients.

【 授权许可】

Unknown