Open AccessPreventive brain radio‐chemotherapy alters plasticity associated metabolite profile in the hippocampus but seems to not affect spatial memory in young leukemia patients
Author(s) -
Brandt Moritz D.,
Brandt Kalina,
Werner Annett,
Schönfeld Robby,
Loewenbrück Kai,
Donix Markus,
Schaich Markus,
Bornhäuser Martin,
Kummer Rüdiger,
Leplow Bernd,
Storch Alexander
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
brain and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 41
ISSN - 2162-3279
DOI - 10.1002/brb3.368
Subject(s) - hippocampus , affect (linguistics) , neuroplasticity , neuroscience , metabolite , medicine , psychology , oncology , communication
Abstract Background Neuronal plasticity leading to evolving reorganization of the neuronal network during entire lifespan plays an important role for brain function especially memory performance. Adult neurogenesis occurring in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus represents the maximal way of network reorganization. Brain radio‐chemotherapy strongly inhibits adult hippocampal neurogenesis in mice leading to impaired spatial memory. Methods To elucidate the effects of CNS radio‐chemotherapy on hippocampal plasticity and function in humans, we performed a longitudinal pilot study using 3T proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1 H‐ MRS ) and virtual water‐maze‐tests in 10 de‐novo patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia undergoing preventive whole brain radio‐chemotherapy. Patients were examined before, during and after treatment. Results CNS radio‐chemotherapy did neither affect recall performance in probe trails nor flexible (reversal) relearning of a new target position over a time frame of 10 weeks measured by longitudinal virtual water‐maze‐testing, but provoked hippocampus‐specific decrease in choline as a metabolite associated with cellular plasticity in 1 H‐ MRS . Conclusion Albeit this pilot study needs to be followed up to definitely resolve the question about the functional role of adult human neurogenesis, the presented data suggest that 1 H‐ MRS allows the detection of neurogenesis‐associated plasticity in the human brain.