Investigating the cognitive effects of breast cancer treatment over time
Official title: A longitudinal, nationally representative study of cognition-related effects of breast cancer and its treatment
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-10900593 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain breast cancer treatments, especially anti-estrogen medications, might impact thinking and memory in survivors over five years, comparing their experiences to other women with and without breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $339,008 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA264326-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10900593 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are postmenopausal women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and are undergoing or have undergone treatment with aromatase inhibitors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been diagnosed with breast cancer or those who are not receiving aromatase inhibitors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines how breast cancer treatments, particularly anti-estrogen agents like aromatase inhibitors, affect cognitive function in survivors. By analyzing data from a large, nationally representative survey, the study aims to track cognitive changes in breast cancer patients over a five-year period. Participants will be compared to women who have breast cancer but do not receive this treatment, as well as to women without cancer. This approach will help identify the extent and duration of cognitive impairment related to breast cancer therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of cognitive side effects in breast cancer survivors, enhancing their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited empirical research on the cognitive effects of aromatase inhibitors, similar studies on cancer-related cognitive impairment have shown significant findings, indicating potential for impactful results in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nattinger, Ann B — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Nattinger, Ann B
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
MIND diet to support thinking and memory after breast cancer
This project looks at whether following the MIND diet helps thinking and memory in breast cancer survivors who have treatment-related cognitive changes.
-
How breast cancer hormone therapy may affect memory and thinking over time
This project looks at whether aromatase inhibitor hormone treatments for postmenopausal breast cancer are linked with changes in thinking and memory in women, compared to women with breast cancer who did not take these drugs and to women without cancer.
-
Investigating the MIND diet's effects on cognitive impairment in breast cancer survivors
This study is looking at whether following the MIND diet can help improve memory and focus for breast cancer survivors who are having trouble with thinking clearly after treatment, making it a friendly and practical way to boost their brain health and overall well-being.
-
Improving Breast Cancer Guideline Adherence in Nigeria
Aimed at helping doctors in Nigeria follow international guideline-based breast cancer care to improve outcomes for women with breast cancer.
-
Genomic study to understand how genetics and epigenetics shape triple-negative breast cancer in African ancestry
This study looks at how inherited genes and gene activity affect triple-negative breast cancer in people of African ancestry to better understand why outcomes can be worse.
-
Translational breast cancer research to improve treatment options
A comprehensive program at Baylor College of Medicine is focusing on breast cancer; researchers will advance targeted therapies and biomarkers to help patients with aggressive or hard-to-treat forms.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.