Predicting cognitive impairment after chemotherapy in breast cancer patients
Official title: Predicting Long-Term Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Impairment
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-10832987 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how chemotherapy might impact thinking and memory in women with breast cancer, and it aims to help predict who might have trouble with these skills after treatment, so they can get the support they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2019 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $488,028 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA226080-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-10832987 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are newly diagnosed female patients with primary breast cancer who are scheduled to receive adjuvant chemotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing chemotherapy or those with pre-existing cognitive impairments unrelated to cancer treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how chemotherapy affects cognitive function in breast cancer patients, aiming to predict which individuals may experience cognitive impairment after treatment. By analyzing brain network changes, known as the connectome, before and after chemotherapy, researchers will use machine learning techniques to develop a predictive model. The study will involve 100 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and matched healthy controls, assessing cognitive function at multiple time points to validate the prediction model for clinical use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enable personalized treatment plans that minimize cognitive impairment for breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in using brain connectome analysis to predict cognitive outcomes, suggesting this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kesler, Shelli R — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Kesler, Shelli R
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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.