New study finds no evidence of reduced cognitive function after treatment for metastatic disease

Commonly used treatments for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) do not seem to be linked with a decline in cognitive function, a new study has found.

Researchers from Canada investigated whether mental abilities were affected by treatments commonly used for advanced prostate cancer in older men:  ADT docetaxel, abiraterone, enzalutamide, and radium 223.

“Previous studies have reported broad associations between chemotherapy and cognitive decline (known as chemo brain), but studies specific to docetaxel and prostate cancer could not be found,” say the authors, from the University Health Network, Toronto, reporting in JAMA Network Open.

They followed 155 men aged 65 or older, and found that 90% had stable or only slightly reduced cognition following treatment for mCRPC.

“Using three common, objective measures of cognitive function, this cohort study was unable to detect significant cognitive decline in any of the four treatments for advanced prostate cancer,” they concluded.