Approved research

Multiparametric Neuroimaging Insights into the Complex Relationship between Cancer, Sleep Patterns, Cognitive Function, and Mental Health

Lay summary

The human brain is a complex network of functionally and structurally interconnected regions that coordinate various functions. The unwanted functional or structural changes within those brain regions and/or disruptions in the connectivity patterns can have profound implications (including sleep disturbances, poor cognitive function, and poor mental health), particularly in the context of cancer. For instance, about 40%-80% cancer patients report symptoms related to insomnia, about 75% of cancer patients experience cognitive impairments during cancer treatment, and depression and anxiety affect up to 20% and 10% of cancer patients respectively. Recent advancements in neuroimaging techniques and utilization of multiparametric MRI techniques such as functional MRI, structural MRI and diffusion-weighted MRI have enabled researchers to gain detailed insights into the atypical functional and structural properties of brain regions and brain connectivity patterns associated with health and disease. The proposed project, which will run for three years initially, aims to (1) explore the relationship between functional and structural properties of brain regions and connectivity patterns underlying cancer-related disruptions in sleep patterns, cognitive function, and mental health; (2) determine the extent to which the relationship between cancer specific parameters (e.g., pain, discomfort, sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment, social isolation, treatment side-effects, and fear of recurrence) and mental health outcomes is mediated by functional and structural changes within brain regions and/or in the connectivity patterns; and (3) develop and utilize robust predictive models to assess the risk of mental health challenges in cancer patients - by integrating multiparametric neuroimaging data, sleep metrices and cognitive function to better understand the interplay among these data sets and their collective influence on mental health outcomes. More specifically, the predictive models will be used to extract key features that have the most significant influence on mental health outcomes of cancer patients. The proposed project holds great potential for improving our understanding of cancer related unwanted changes in brain function, brain structure and parameters that directly impact the quality of life (e.g., sleep patterns, cognitive abilities, and mental health). The outcomes may improve our ability to guide treatment decisions tailored to patient's psychological profiles and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and well-being. The proposed project may also generate insights for further research that can identify areas where more detailed investigation is needed, potentially leading to the discovery of novel biomarkers, therapeutic targets, or interventions to enhance sleep, cognitive and mental health in cancer patients.