Structural Brain Changes After a Mindfulness-Based Intervention in Breast Cancer Survivors with Cognitive Complaints

Melis, Michelle; Blommaert, Jeroen; Radwan, Ahmed; Smeets, Ann; Gucht, Katleen Van der; Deprez, Sabine; Sunaert, Stefan

doi:10.1007/s12671-023-02140-5

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…At each time-point, assessments included neuropsychological tests and questionnaires (about one hour), multimodal MRI of the brain (about one hour), and blood sample collection (about 15 min). The neuropsychological [45] and structural [55] findings have been published previously and the task-based MRI findings will be published elsewhere. Participants in both control groups could follow the MBI after finishing all assessments and all participants could withdraw without further follow-up.…”

Section: Design and Study Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Mindfulness on Functional Brain Connectivity and Peripheral Inflammation in Breast Cancer Survivors with Cognitive Complaints

Melis

Schroyen

Blommaert

et al. 2023

Cancers

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Background: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) has been linked to functional brain changes and inflammatory processes. Hence, interventions targeting these underlying mechanisms are needed. In this study, we investigated the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on brain function and inflammatory profiles in breast cancer survivors with CRCI. Methods: Female breast cancer survivors reporting cognitive complaints (n = 117) were randomly assigned to a mindfulness-based intervention (n = 43), physical training (n = 36), or waitlist control condition (n = 38). Region-of-interest (ROI) and graph theory analyses of resting state functional MRI data were performed to study longitudinal group differences in functional connectivity and organization in the default mode, dorsal attention, salience, and frontoparietal network. Additionally, bead-based immunoassays were used to investigate the differences in inflammatory profiles on serum samples. Measures were collected before, immediately after and three months post-intervention. Results: No ROI-to-ROI functional connectivity changes were identified. Compared to no intervention, graph analysis showed a larger decrease in clustering coefficient after mindfulness and physical training. Additionally, a larger increase in global efficiency after physical training was identified. Furthermore, the physical training group showed a larger decrease in an inflammatory profile compared to no intervention (IL-12p70, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-8). Conclusion: Both mindfulness and physical training induced changes in the functional organization of networks related to attention, emotion processing, and executive functioning. While both interventions reduced functional segregation, only physical training increased functional integration of the neural network. In conclusion, physical training had the most pronounced effects on functional network organization and biomarkers of inflammation, two mechanisms that might be involved in CRCI.

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Section: Design and Study Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%