J W Y Kam1, C A Brenner2, T C Handy3, L A Boyd4, T Liu-Ambrose5, H J Lim6, S Hayden7, K L Campbell8. 1. Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada. Electronic address: kamjulia@gmail.com. 2. Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada. Electronic address: cbrenner@psych.ubc.ca. 3. Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada. Electronic address: tchandy@psych.ubc.ca. 4. Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, 2177 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada. Electronic address: lara.boyd@ubc.ca. 5. Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, 2177 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada. Electronic address: teresa.ambrose@ubc.ca. 6. Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada; Medical Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Agency, 600 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E6, Canada. Electronic address: hlim@bccancer.bc.ca. 7. Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada. Electronic address: sherri.hayden@vch.ca. 8. Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, 2177 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada. Electronic address: kristin.campbell@ubc.ca.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Many breast cancer survivors (BCS) report cognitive problems following chemotherapy, yet controversy remains concerning which cognitive domains are affected. This study investigated a domain crucial to daily function: the ability to maintain attention over time. METHODS: We examined whether BCS who self-reported cognitive problems up to 3 years following cancer treatment (n=19) performed differently from healthy controls (HC, n=12) in a task that required sustained attention. Participants performed a target detection task while periodically being asked to report their attentional state. Electroencephalogram was recorded during this task and at rest. RESULTS: BCS were less likely to maintain sustained attention during the task compared to HC. Further, the P3 event-related potential component elicited by visual targets during the task was smaller in BCS relative to HC. BCS also displayed greater neural activity at rest. CONCLUSIONS: BCS demonstrated an abnormal pattern of sustained attention and resource allocation compared to HC, suggesting that attentional deficits can be objectively observed in breast cancer survivors who self-report concentration problems. SIGNIFICANCE: These data underscore the value of EEG combined with a less traditional measure of sustained attention, or attentional states, as objective laboratory tools that are sensitive to subjective complaints of chemotherapy-related attentional impairments.
OBJECTIVE: Many breast cancer survivors (BCS) report cognitive problems following chemotherapy, yet controversy remains concerning which cognitive domains are affected. This study investigated a domain crucial to daily function: the ability to maintain attention over time. METHODS: We examined whether BCS who self-reported cognitive problems up to 3 years following cancer treatment (n=19) performed differently from healthy controls (HC, n=12) in a task that required sustained attention. Participants performed a target detection task while periodically being asked to report their attentional state. Electroencephalogram was recorded during this task and at rest. RESULTS: BCS were less likely to maintain sustained attention during the task compared to HC. Further, the P3 event-related potential component elicited by visual targets during the task was smaller in BCS relative to HC. BCS also displayed greater neural activity at rest. CONCLUSIONS: BCS demonstrated an abnormal pattern of sustained attention and resource allocation compared to HC, suggesting that attentional deficits can be objectively observed in breast cancer survivors who self-report concentration problems. SIGNIFICANCE: These data underscore the value of EEG combined with a less traditional measure of sustained attention, or attentional states, as objective laboratory tools that are sensitive to subjective complaints of chemotherapy-related attentional impairments.
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