Dynamic Changes in the White Matter Microstructure of Breast Cancer Patients During Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Motivation: Chemotherapy can cause cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients. However, the microstructural changes in white matter during chemotherapy remain unknown. Goal(s): To explore the patterns of white matter microstructural changes during chemotherapy. Approach: By using three diffusion models (DTI, DKI and NODDI), white matter microstructure of 72 female breast cancer patients was detected at baseline (TP1), at the completion of the first cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (TP2) and at the completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy but before surgery (TP3). Results: Different diffusion MRI metrics reflected dynamic changes in white matter microstructure in breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Impact: By combining DTI, DKI and NODDI metrics, alterations in white matter microstructure among breast cancer patients were identified from baseline to two subsequent follow-up time points during neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These findings could potentially help the early diagnosis and treatment of chemo-brain.