A Study of Attention and Memory Processes in Breast Cancer Survivors

Neural and Cognitive Mechanisms of Attention and Memory Deficits in Cancer Survivors

The purpose of this study is to observe the attention and memory processes in breast cancer survivors. Both cancer survivors and healthy volunteers (who are the same age as the cancer survivors) will participate in this study so we can compare the results of testing on each group of participants.

Inclusion Criteria:

For All Paricipants:

• As per medical record or self-report, female
• As per medical record or self-report, age 50-70
• Score of < 11 on the Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration Test (BOMC)
• English fluent (as per self reported fluency of "well" or "very well", and having a reasonable comprehension of the study conversation in the opinion of the research staff/preference of English language for healthcare)**
• As per medical record or self-report, if currently taking psychoactive medications (excluding gabapentin and including but not limited to antidepressants and anxiolytics) on a daily basis, dose must have been stable at least two months prior to enrollment

For Survivors:

• As per medical record or self-report, AJCC stages 0-3 breast cancer
• As per medical record or self-report, at least 1-year post-treatment for breast cancer (including surgery, and chemotherapy, with or without radiation
• As per medical record or self-report, current endocrine therapy

For Healthy Controls:

• As per self-report, if currently taking psychoactive medications (including but not limited to antidepressants and anxiolytics), dose must have been stable at least two months prior to enrollment.
• As per self report, no history of cancer except non-melanoma/basal cell skin cancer/squamous cell skin carcinoma

Exclusion Criteria:

For All Participants:

• As per medical record or self-report, diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorder that affects cognitive function (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Dementia, Seizure Disorders, etc.)
• As per medical record or self report, history of stroke or head injury resulting in a structural lesion on neuropsych imaging, persistent cognitive difficulties impacting work or daily life, or required cognitive rehabilitation
• As per medical record or self report, a diagnosis of a Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder, substance use disorder, Bipolar Disorder or Schizotypal personality disorder. Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders include Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform disorder, Schizoaffective disorder, Delusional disorder, Brief psychotic disorder, and Attenuated Psychotic Disorder
• As per medical record or self-report, visual or auditory impairment that would preclude ability to complete the assessments (e.g. history of significant macular degeneration or being unable to correct hearing with hearing aides)
• As per medical record or self-report, use of methotrexate (Amethopterin, Rhematrex, Trexall) or rituximab (Rituxin) for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis or Crohn's disease, or cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar) for Lupus
• As per medical record or self-report, participation in a conflicting research study (i.e. another neurocognitive study utilizing HVLT and BVMT tasks.)

For Survivors only:

• As per medical record or self-report, history of another type of cancer or prior breast cancer diagnosis except non-melanoma/basal cell skin cancer/squamous cell skin carcinoma
• As per medical record or self-report, disease recurrence.

For Healthy Controls only:

• As per medical record or self-report, history of treatment using radiation, chemotherapy, and/or Tamoxifen or Aromatase-inhibitors