Breast Cancer and Neurocognition

Dr. Reuter-Lorenz is studying the neurocognitive consequences of breast cancer and breast cancer treatment. In collaboration with Dr. Bernadine Cimprich from the UM School of Nursing, we have conducted an extensive longitudinal study of women with breast cancer, using neuropsychological assessments and functional brain imaging to understand the neurocognitive and psychological factors that contribute to the phenomenon of “chemo brain.”

Additional Readings:

  1. Churchill, N.W., Cimprich, B., Askren, M.K., Reuter-Lorenz, P.A., Jung, M.S., Peltier, S., and Berman, M. (2014).  Scale-free brain dynamics under physical and psychological distress: pre-treatment effects in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Human Brain Mapping. 25388082
  2. Mišić B, Fatima Z, Askren MK, Buschkuehl M, Churchill N, Cimprich B, Deldin PJ, Jaeggi S, Jung M, Korostil M, Kross E, Krpan KM, Peltier S, Reuter-Lorenz PA, Strother SC, Jonides J, McIntosh AR, Berman MG. (2014). The Functional Connectivity Landscape of the Human Brain. PLOS One.   2014 Oct 28;9(10):e111007. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111007
  3. Askren, M., Jung, M.S., Berman, M. G., Theirian, B., Peltier, S., Zang, M., Ossher, L.A., Hayes, D.F., Reuter-Lorenz, P.A. & Cimprich, B. (2014). Neuromarkers of fatigue and cognitive complaints following chemotherapy for breast cancer: A prospective fMRI investigation. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. Sep; 147(2):445-55. doi: 10.1007/s10549-014-3092-6. PMID: 25138546; PMCID: PMC4165557
  4. Berman, M., Askren, K.M., Jung, M.S., Therrien, B., Peltier, S., Noll, D.C., Zhang, M., Ossher, L., Hayes, D.F., Reuter-Lorenz, P.A., Cimprich, B., (2014). Pretreatment worry predicts neurocognitive responses in women with breast cancer.  Health Psychology 33(3), 222-231. PMID: 23914817
  5. Reuter-Lorenz, P.A. & Cimprich, B. (2013). Cognitive function and breast cancer: Potential insights from functional brain imaging. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. Volume 137, Issue 1 (2013), Page 33-43. Epub October 9, 2012  PMID: 23053652
  6. Cimprich, B., Reuter-Lorenz, P.A., Nelson, J. Clark, P.M., Therrien, B., Normolle, D., Berman, M., Hayes, D.F., Noll, D.C., Peltier, S., Welsh, R.C., (2010). Pre-chemotherapy alterations in brain function in women with breast cancer. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology. 2010 Mar; 32(3): 324-31. PMID: 19642048