Brain Connectivity and Self-Reported Cancer Related Cognitive Impairment

项目总结/摘要 候选人阿什利亨内汉博士的长期职业目标是开发有效的治疗方法 减少或预防自我报告的癌症相关认知障碍（sr-CRCI）的方法， 整合神经影像学数据的多学科协作研究，特别是与sr-CRCI相关的研究。 目前文献中的空白使得很难理解sr-CRCI的机制，sr-CRCI如何相似 或不同的心理困扰，以及预测癌症治疗后sr-CRCI的发病率。 为了继续实现她的总体职业目标，候选人将纵向检查sr-CRCI， 大脑连接（使用功能性磁共振成像）和心理困扰，从术前 基线至治疗后1年，89名乳腺癌幸存者和50名匹配对照组。三 在一项回顾性纵向研究中提出了具体的研究目标，以（1）确定 具有高sr-CRCI的BC幸存者、具有低sr-CRCI的BC幸存者和健康对照者之间的脑连接， (2)根据痛苦的严重程度，比较幸存者群体之间的大脑连接模式，以及（3）探索 SR-CRCI模型，心理困扰，和BC幸存者的大脑连接。候选人的前 培训和研究经验使她做好了从事这项研究的准备，但她需要继续 在四个关键领域提供指导，以完成拟议项目并实现其职业目标。专家 一个多学科的导师团队已经被选中来监督Henneghan博士的培训和进展， 她的K 01提案的短期目标是（1）获得概念上使用fMRI数据的知识和技能， 认知研究，特别是与连接组学，（2）发展纵向研究设计的熟练程度 和方法，（3）增加乳腺癌病因学和治疗的知识，（4）提高和完善 作为一名独立调查员成功的职业生涯所必需的技能。为此开展的培训和研究活动 K 01提案将侧重于对候选人的主要数据进行二次回顾性数据分析 Mentor对BC患者和健康对照队列的纵向研究（R 01 CA 172145）。一流设施和 得克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校的其他资源为该提案的合作者提供了丰富的 环境是支持科学研究和成功的合作研究的历史， 癌症和认知领域。该项目涉及国家核研究所战略计划的一个高度优先事项， 疾病症状的潜在机制，并开发解决这些问题的个性化治疗方法 通过症状科学研究的机制。K 01奖将提供一个重要的机会， 保护时间，以提高候选人的技能，并获得必要的培训和专业知识， 开展拟定的研究，并将研究结果应用于新的研究者R 01提案。候选人是 致力于长期作为一个独立的肿瘤学研究人员，专注于症状科学。

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The candidate, Dr. Ashley Henneghan's long term career goal is to develop effective therapeutic treatment approaches to reduce or prevent self-reported cancer related cognitive impairments (sr-CRCI), through collaborative multi-disciplinary research that integrates neuroimaging data, specifically related to sr-CRCI. Current gaps in the literature make it difficult to understand the mechanisms of sr-CRCI, how sr-CRCI is similar or different to psychological distress, and what predicts the incidence of sr-CRCI following cancer treatment. To continue progress towards her overarching career goal, the candidate will longitudinally examine sr-CRCI, brain connectivity (using functional magnetic resonance imaging), and psychological distress, from pre-surgical baseline to 1-year post treatment in a cohort of 89 breast cancer survivors and 50 matched controls. Three specific research aims are proposed in a retrospective longitudinal study to (1) determine the differences in brain connectivity among BC survivors with high sr-CRCI, BC survivors with low sr-CRCI, and healthy controls, (2) compare brain connectivity patterns among groups of survivors based on distress severity, and (3) explore models of sr-CRCI, psychological distress, and brain connectivity in BC survivors. The candidate's previous training and research experience have prepared her to undertake this research, but she requires continued mentorship in four critical areas to complete the proposed project and achieve her career goals. An expert multi-disciplinary mentor team has been selected to oversee Dr. Henneghan's training and progress towards her short term goals for this K01 proposal to (1) gain knowledge and skills in conceptually using fMRI data in cognitive research specifically related to connectomics, (2) develop proficiency in longitudinal research design and methods, (3) increase knowledge of breast cancer etiology and treatment, and (4) enhance and refine skills requisite for a successful career as an independent investigator. Training and research activities for this K01 proposal will focus on conducting a secondary retrospective data analysis of the candidate's Primary Mentor's longitudinal study of a cohort of BC patients and healthy controls (R01CA172145). The facilities and other resources at the University of Texas at Austin provide the collaborators of this proposal with a rich environment that is supportive of scientific research and a history of successful collaborative research in the areas of cancer and cognition. The project addresses a high priority of the NINR strategic plan to explore the mechanisms underlying symptoms of illness and developing personalized treatments that address these mechanisms through symptom science research. The K01 Award would provide a vital opportunity for protected time to enhance the candidate's skills and gain the necessary training and expertise in order to conduct the proposed study and apply the findings to a new investigator R01 proposal. The candidate is committed to a long career as an independent oncology researcher with a focus on symptom science.