Preventive brain radio‐chemotherapy alters plasticity associated metabolite profile in the hippocampus but seems to not affect spatial memory in young leukemia patients. Issue 9 (14th July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brandt, Moritz D.; Brandt, Kalina; Werner, Annett; Schönfeld, Robby; Loewenbrück, Kai; Donix, Markus; Schaich, Markus; Bornhäuser, Martin; von Kummer, Rüdiger; Leplow, Bernd; Storch, Alexander
• Is Part Of: Brain and behavior. Volume 5:Issue 9(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2015-07-14
• Subjects: Adult neurogenesis -- choline -- human -- proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy -- virtual water maze; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8005
• DOI: 10.1002/brb3.368
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2162-3279

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Neuronal plasticity leading to evolving reorganization of the neuronal network during entire lifespan plays an important role for brain function especially memory performance. Adult neurogenesis occurring in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus represents the maximal way of network reorganization. Brain radio‐chemotherapy strongly inhibits adult hippocampal neurogenesis in mice leading to impaired spatial memory. Methods: To elucidate the effects of CNS radio‐chemotherapy on hippocampal plasticity and function in humans, we performed a longitudinal pilot study using 3T proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1 H‐MRS) and virtual water‐maze‐tests in 10 de‐novo patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia undergoing preventive whole brain radio‐chemotherapy. Patients were examined before, during and after treatment. Results: CNS radio‐chemotherapy did neither affect recall performance in probe trails nor flexible (reversal) relearning of a new target position over a time frame of 10 weeks measured by longitudinal virtual water‐maze‐testing, but provoked hippocampus‐specific decrease in choline as a metabolite associated with cellular plasticity in 1 H‐MRS. Conclusion: Albeit this pilot study needs to be followed up to definitely resolve the question about the functional role of adult human neurogenesis, the presented data suggest that 1 H‐MRS allows the detection of neurogenesis‐associated plasticity in the human brain. Abstract : Preventive CNS radio‐chemotherapy does not affect recall and flexible relearning performance in the virtual water maze, but lead to a hippocampus specific decrease in choline, a metabolite associated with plasticity‐related events like stem‐ and precursor cell proliferation. We suggest that changes in the metabolite profile measured with MR‐spectroscopy including choline and lipid‐peaks afford the monitoring of cellular plasticity (neurogenesis) in humans.