Voices Against Brain Cancer Comments on Preservation of Cognitive Function After Radiotherapy

October 14, 2013 — Voices Against Brain Cancer (VBAC), an organization dedicated to brain cancer research and advocacy, discussed a study that looked into the preservation of cognitive function for brain cancer patients after radiotherapy treatments.

According to an October 7 article published by Drug Discovery & Development magazine titled “Drug Preserves Cognitive Function After WBRT for Brain Cancer,” researchers at Emory’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing and the Winship Cancer Institute conducted a study that highlighted positive outcomes “in long-term cognitive function due to the use of the cognitive drug Memantine.” The findings could be used to help brain cancer patients who undergo whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). Although it has been proven to be a therapeutic survival tool in the treatment of adults with brain tumors, it does have lingering negative effects in the long-term brain function and performance of those who undergo this treatment.

In the study, 508 eligible adult WBRT patients received placebo or memantine within three days of starting WBRT and for 24 weeks in “graduated doses.” The participants were then given a series of cognitive function tests and also underwent neurologic exams, history and physical exams, performance status and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) and computer tomography (CT) scans.

Deborah Watkins Bruner, Ph.D., R.N., professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing and associate director of cancer outcomes, Winship Cancer Institute at Emory, was content with the preliminary results, which showed better cognitive function over time for those who took memantine.

“We specifically saw a delay in the time of cognitive decline and reductions in the rates of memory loss, executive function and processing-speed declines,” said Watkins-Bruner.

Michael Klipper, chairman, VBAC, said this finding will provide hope to the brain cancer community.

“Even though this study is still in its preliminary trial and some questions about the drug’s effectiveness do remain, this is an extremely positive step towards preventing cognitive dysfunction and bettering the lives of brain cancer patients,” said Klipper.

For more information: www.voicesagainstbraincancer.org, www.dddmag.com