Effect of aromatase inhibitor therapy on cognitive function. I. Makhoul, P. Eslinger, D. Popescu, H. Harvey, K. Parkinson, A. Lipton; University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR; Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA Abstract: Background: Aromatase inhibitors (AI) have gained widespread use in the treatment of breast cancer (BC). Estrogens may have direct influence on memory, cognitive function and emotions. Chemotherapy (CT) for BC has also been incriminated in cognitive dysfunction. Methods: Postmenopausal women with ER/PgR + metastatic BC treated with AI as first line hormonal therapy and those with early stage or locally advanced ER/PgR + BC treated with chemotherapy followed by AI in the adjuvant setting were eligible to the study. Ten neuropsychological tests were administered before and 3, 6, and 12 months after starting the treatment with AI. Patients who received CT had their baseline testing 4-6 weeks after completion of CT and before starting their AI. Neuropsychological tests evaluated general cognition, visual memory, verbal memory, attention-concentration, verbal fluency, semantic fluency, and emotional status. Results beyond two standard deviations were considered abnormal Results: Fourteen patients have been enrolled in the study to date and enrollment continues. Five patients had metastatic BC; 9 patients had early stage or locally advanced (1 patient) disease and required CT after surgery. All patients had ER and/or PgR positive disease. One patient died after baseline evaluation. Two patients withdrew from the study. All of the remaining patients (11) had their baseline evaluation; 3 patients had up to 6 month evaluation and 5 patients have completed their one year follow-up. Three patients had no change after one year of follow-up, 2 patients, both have received CT, had decline in verbal memory (1) or visual memory (1) tests at three months followed by recovery at later testing. Three patients, none of them received CT, had decline in verbal memory measures that did not recover at one year (1) or six months (2). Measures of depression and anxiety showed no significant change throughout the study. Conclusions: Lasting decline in verbal memory may be associated with AI (3 patients of 8). Chemotherapy may result in transient decline of memory function that seems to improve by 6 months to one year with no additive effect to AI. Further patient accrual and data analysis would confirm these preliminary findings. Abstract No: 846 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.