This project is aimed at the discovery of neuro-modulation techniques that may alleviate chemotherapy induced cognitive deficits (CICD), especially in executive (higher-order) cognitive function (EF).
The specific aim for this study is to use magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), self-report, and neuropsychological testing to identify changes in brain metabolite concentrations/ratios and changes in EF deficits associated with chemotherapy, before and after accelerated theta-burst transcranial stimulation (iTBS). The secondary aim is to assess for any association of changes in executive function with brain metabolite concentrations.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
15
Accelerated iTBS will be used to stimulate the regions of interest of mPFC and L-DLPFC nodes in cancer survivors or patients. Accelerated iTBS will be administered in a single half-day period to allow for a 50minutes interval between any two treatments to minimize interference effects between treatments. Thus, there will be \~10 minute sessions of stimulation x 2 applications per node x 2 nodes (L-DLPFC, mPFC) = 40 total minutes of daily stimulation - each session delivers 1800 pulses in a 5 Hz triplet burst frequency, 2 second trains with intertrain interval of 8 seconds; triplets occur with 50 Hz frequency, as per standard iTBS protocols for depression treatment. The treatment will be offered for five consecutive days.
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
Iowa City, Iowa, United States
Mean changes in executive cognitive function between pre and post application of iTBS treatment protocol
Executive cognitive function will be quantified using technician administered Color Word Interference Test, Category Fluency, Tower of Hanoi, Card Sort and Strategy Application Task (Shallice \&Burgess) tests, and the self-report Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Cognitive Scale (FACT-COG) (Dyk et al.). Executive Function (EF) is measured by utilizing standardized test scores adapted from the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function Scales (D-KEFS battery) (Homack et al.). FACT-COG, Category Fluency and Strategy Application Task use raw scores. All EF measures used in this battery form a part of a normative database created and maintained by the principle investigator of this study. An overall score of EF is computed by averaging the Z scores of each test. Higher score on each test represents better performance.
Time frame: 1.5 months
Mean changes in brain metabolite concentrations between pre and post application of iTBS treatment protocol
Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy will be used to quantify brain metabolite concentrations in parts per million. Brain metabolites under evaluation include: glutamine, glutamate, N-acetyl aspartate, choline, and creatine.
Time frame: 1.5 months
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