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Open Access 01-12-2013 | Review

Emerging pharmacotherapy for cancer patients with cognitive dysfunction

Authors: Justin Davis, Fiona M Ahlberg, Michael Berk, David M Ashley, Mustafa Khasraw

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Advances in the diagnosis and multi-modality treatment of cancer have increased survival rates for many cancer types leading to an increasing load of long-term sequelae of therapy, including that of cognitive dysfunction. The cytotoxic nature of chemotherapeutic agents may also reduce neurogenesis, a key component of the physiology of memory and cognition, with ramifications for the patient’s mood and other cognition disorders. Similarly radiotherapy employed as a therapeutic or prophylactic tool in the treatment of primary or metastatic disease may significantly affect cognition. A number of emerging pharmacotherapies are under investigation for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction experienced by cancer patients. Recent data from clinical trials is reviewed involving the stimulants modafinil and methylphenidate, mood stabiliser lithium, anti-Alzheimer’s drugs memantine and donepezil, as well as other agents which are currently being explored within dementia, animal, and cell culture models to evaluate their use in treating cognitive dysfunction.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2377/13/153/prepub

Title: Emerging pharmacotherapy for cancer patients with cognitive dysfunction
Authors: Justin Davis
Fiona M Ahlberg
Michael Berk
David M Ashley
Mustafa Khasraw
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2377-13-153

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Emerging pharmacotherapy for cancer patients with cognitive dysfunction

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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