Treating Verbal Memory Deficits Following Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

Treating Verbal Memory Deficits Following Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

The primary purpose of this study is to test the effects of a targeted, computerized cognitive training program on verbal memory in older women who have undergone chemotherapy treatment for early-stage breast cancer. As measured by neuropsychological assessment, this treatment will result in improved verbal memory. Secondarily, processing speed and naming abilities are expected to improve. Enhanced self-perception of cognitive ability is also expected.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women ages 65-90
• Chemotherapy treatment for early-stage (I, IIa, IIb, IIIa) breast cancer
• Post-menopausal
• High school education or greater
• Geographically available for followup assessment
• Native English speaker
• Normal or corrected to near-normal hearing and vision

Exclusion Criteria:

• Psychiatric history including past or current psychotic spectrum disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, dementia, schizoaffective disorder)
• Brain injury (e.g., stroke, heart attack, aneurysm, tumor, concussion, head trauma)
• Brain disease
• History of brain irradiation or surgery
• Current or past disease/disorder of the central nervous system or medical condition affecting cognitive functioning (e.g., chronic migraine, epilepsy or history of seizures, encephalitis, meningitis, multiple sclerosis, thyroid condition, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Huntington's disease)
• Active diagnosis of autoimmune or inflammatory disorder (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, insulin-dependent diabetes, Crohn's disease, uncontrolled allergic reaction or asthma)
• History of other cancer, except for basal cell carcinoma
• Development of a second primary malignancy during the study
• Drug or alcohol abuse (i.e., more than 7 drinks per week)
• Chronic use of oral steroid medication
• Former (prior to early-stage breast cancer) intrathecal therapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or any neoadjuvant chemotherapy
• Acquired or developmental speech, language, or learning disorders (e.g., aphasia, dyslexia, dysgraphia, auditory processing disorder, autism, developmental delay)
• Hormone replacement therapy, excluding vaginal estrogen