Androgen Deprivation Therapy and Cognitive Impairment
Abstract
Androgen deprivation therapy is a well-established treatment for prostate cancer, but an important side effect of androgen deprivation therapy is impairment of memory and learning. In the hippocampus, a brain region that plays a major role in memory and learning, new nerve cells (i.e., neurons) continue to develop throughout adulthood, a process is called neurogenesis. The goal of this project is to test the hypothesis that impaired hippocampal neurogenesis underlies the androgen deprivation therapy-induced impairment of cognitive function. We carried out surgeries (castration and sham castration) and implanted placebo pellets and pellets containing leuprolide (a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog that reduces plasma testosterone levels) and flutamide (an androgen receptor antagonist). We found that all three approaches to producing androgen deprivation significantly reduced both the proliferation and survival of new neurons in the hippocampus. These results are significant because all three methods are used in the treatment of prostate cancer in humans, and suggest that patients might show similar deficits in hippocampal neurogenesis. During the second year we initiated behavioral testing. The testing is continuing and the data are being analyzed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1061750
Entities
People
- Robert N. Pechnick
Organizations
- Western University of Health Sciences