Cancer-related cognitive impairment in breast cancer survivors: An examination of conceptual and statistical cognitive domains using principal component analysis

Abstract

There is a great deal of variability in the composition of neuropsychological test batteries used in the assessment of cancerrelated cognitive impairment (CRCI). Not only the development of a gold standard approach for CRCI assessment would allow for easier identification of women suffering from CRCI but it would also promote optimal care for survivors. As a first step towards the development of a valid and reliable unified test battery, the objective of this study was to verify whether the theoretical domains commonly used in CRCI assessment are statistically supported, before and after breast cancer treatment. Principal component analyses (PCA) were performed on the results from 23 neuropsychological tests grouped into eight conceptual domains. For baseline data, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin was .82 and Bartlett’s X2(253, N=95) = 949.48, P<0.001. A five-component solution explained 60.94% of the common variance. For the post-treatment data, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin was .83 and Bartlett’s X2(253, N=95) = 1007.21, P<0.001 and a five component solution explained 62.03% of the common variance. Although a visual comparison of the theoretical model with those determined via PCA indicated important overlap between conceptual domains and statistical components, significant dissimilarities were also observed.

Doxorubicin induces dysregulation of AMPA receptor and impairs hippocampal synaptic plasticity leading to learning and memory deficits

“…Cognitive deficits have been reported in up to 75% of patients receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer ( Jenkins et al., 2006 ). These cognitive effects, which include but are not limited to impairment in thinking, concentration, learning new skills, remembering and/or memorizing, have become so ubiquitous in chemotherapy treatment that they have earned the name “chemobrain” ( Lambert et al., 2018 ; Lange and Joly, 2017 ; “Understanding Post-Treatment ‘Chemobrain’ - National Cancer Institute,” 2017 ). Doxorubicin (Dox) is an anthracycline compound widely used to treat a number of cancers, including breast cancers, prostate cancers, and osteosarcomas ( Thorn et al., 2011 ).…”

Cognitive Component Structure of a Neuropsychological Battery Administered to Cognitively-Normal Adults in the SIU Longitudinal Cognitive Aging Study

“…Upon comparing our CCS to those of previous studies, we noticed a pattern of inconsistencies regarding the definitions of CCS and subsequently cognitive domains, as well as which cognitive tests are being used to measure these domains. Researchers disagree as to which cognitive processes represent unique cognitive domains and which cognitive processes should be grouped together into a broader cognitive domain ( Harp et al, 2021 ; Harrison, 2019 ; Harvey, 2019 ; Lambert et al, 2018 ; Perry et al, 2017 ; Schumacher et al, 2019 ; Smits et al, 2015 ). For example, processing speed is sometimes defined as its own cognitive domain, but has also been grouped with EF ( Arango-Lasprilla et al, 2017 ; Baek et al, 2012 ; Cohen et al, 2016 ; Harvey, 2019 ; Hayat et al, 2021 ; Kontaxopoulou et al, 2017 ; Lambert et al, 2018 ; Perry et al, 2017 ; Schumacher et al, 2019 ; Wessels et al, 2015 ).…”

“…Researchers disagree as to which cognitive processes represent unique cognitive domains and which cognitive processes should be grouped together into a broader cognitive domain ( Harp et al, 2021 ; Harrison, 2019 ; Harvey, 2019 ; Lambert et al, 2018 ; Perry et al, 2017 ; Schumacher et al, 2019 ; Smits et al, 2015 ). For example, processing speed is sometimes defined as its own cognitive domain, but has also been grouped with EF ( Arango-Lasprilla et al, 2017 ; Baek et al, 2012 ; Cohen et al, 2016 ; Harvey, 2019 ; Hayat et al, 2021 ; Kontaxopoulou et al, 2017 ; Lambert et al, 2018 ; Perry et al, 2017 ; Schumacher et al, 2019 ; Wessels et al, 2015 ). Inconsistencies regarding the component structure of neuropsychological batteries identified by PCA may contribute to this problem.…”

“…CCS derived from neuropsychological test batteries consist of statistically related measures within that battery ( Alavi et al, 2020 ; Salih Hasan & Abdulazeez, 2021 ; Schneider & Goldberg, 2020 ). The CCS are then given names that represent specific cognitive processes or domains, such as learning and memory, visuospatial abilities, executive function (EF), language, attention and processing speed (which are sometimes included within EF), and intelligence ( Arango-Lasprilla et al, 2017 ; Baek et al, 2012 ; Harp et al, 2021 ; Harrison, 2019 ; Harvey, 2019 ; Hayat et al, 2021 ; Hubley, 2010 ; Lambert et al, 2018 ; Millan et al, 2012 ; Perry et al, 2017 ; Riordan, 2017 ; Schumacher et al, 2019 ; Smits et al, 2015 ; Vigliecca, 2021 ; Wessels et al, 2015 ).…”

Item-level psychometrics of a brief self-reported memory problem screening measure in breast cancer survivors

“…Finding ways to systematically screen cognitive impairments can have a positive health impact for cancer patients/survivors. CRND is usually determined based on self-reports of cognitive difficulties or objective neuropsychological tests [9][10][11]15,16]. However, these methods are debatable and commonly yield inconsistent outcomes [9,17,18].…”