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Moderate Physical Activity Mediates the Association between White Matter Lesion Volume and Memory Recall in Breast Cancer Survivors.
Cooke, GE, Wetter, NC, Banducci, SE, Mackenzie, MJ, Zuniga, KE, Awick, EA, Roberts, SA, Sutton, BP, McAuley, E, Kramer, AF
PloS one. 2016;11(2):e0149552
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Plain language summary
As survival rates of breast cancer increase, the long-term cognitive effects of disease and required treatment are emerging. The underlying pathways of cancer-related cognitive impairment involve accelerated aging of the brain, low levels of physical activity and decreased cognitive function, however these links have not been adequately explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the link between physical activity, white matter lesion volume and cognition in 30 breast cancer survivors and 28 age-matched controls. The results of this study showed that brain structure significantly predicted cognitive function. This study provided evidence suggesting that moderate physical activity may help reduce the treatment related risks associated with breast cancer.
Abstract
Increased survival rates among breast cancer patients have drawn significant attention to consequences of both the presence of cancer, and the subsequent treatment-related impact on the brain. The incidence of breast cancer and the effects of treatment often result in alterations in the microstructure of white matter and impaired cognitive functioning. However, physical activity is proving to be a successful modifiable lifestyle factor in many studies that could prove beneficial to breast cancer survivors. This study investigates the link between white matter lesion volume, moderate physical activity, and cognition in breast cancer survivors following treatment compared to non-cancer age-matched controls. Results revealed that brain structure significantly predicted cognitive function via mediation of physical activity in breast cancer survivors. Overall, the study provided preliminary evidence suggesting moderate physical activity may help reduce the treatment related risks associated with breast cancer, including changes to WM integrity and cognitive impairment.
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Could a change in diet revitalize children who suffer from unresolved fatigue?
Steenbruggen, TG, Hoekstra, SJ, van der Gaag, EJ
Nutrients. 2015;7(3):1965-77
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Up to 46% of children report suffering from fatigue, which can affect their ability to learn at school, mental health, immune system function and quality of sleep. Where there is no medical cause for the fatigue, a deficiency of micronutrients in the diet may be to blame. In this non-randomised controlled trial, a group of 98 children aged 2–18 years old with unexplained symptoms of fatigue was examined. Children in the intervention group were advised to follow a nutrient-rich diet for three months, consisting of green vegetables 5 times a week, beef 3 times a week, 200ml of whole milk daily and the use of full-fat butter. The control-group followed their normal diet. Children who followed the diet showed a significant decrease in the need to sleep. They slept better through the night and took fewer naps. General fatigue and cognitive fatigue also showed greater improvement in the intervention group, but the difference between the groups was not statistically significant. When analysing individual components of the diet, a significant improvement in cognitive fatigue symptoms was associated with eating green vegetables. A lower need to sleep was seen when whole milk was consumed almost daily. The authors suggest that nutritional advice is an elegant, and effective method for decreasing some symptoms of medically unresolved fatigue in children.
Abstract
Many children deal with fatigue for which no proper treatment can be given. A possible explanation for their fatigue is a micro deficiency of minerals and vitamins. In this non-randomized controlled trial, we clinically evaluated symptoms of fatigue in children for whom a nutrient-rich diet was advised. A group of 98 children (2-18 years old) with unexplained symptoms of fatigue was examined. The dietary modifications consisted of green vegetables, beef, whole milk and full-fat butter. Children in the intervention group were asked to follow the diet for three months, whereas the control-group followed their normal diet. The primary outcome was symptoms of fatigue, as determined by a PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale, and secondary outcomes were compliance with the diet and BMI. Children, who followed the diet showed a significant decrease in the need to sleep (CI 0.83; 14.86, p = 0.03). They slept better through the night and took fewer naps. When analyzing components of the advised diet separately, a significant larger decrease in cognitive fatigue symptoms was seen for eating green vegetables according to the diet guidelines (CI 2.27; 30.63, p = 0.024). Furthermore, a lower need to sleep was seen when whole milk was consumed almost daily (CI 0.02; 14.62, p = 0.049). Our study showed that nutritional advice is an elegant, and effective method for decreasing some symptoms of medically unresolved fatigue in children.