Effects of cancer therapies on the brain : from molecular mechanisms to behavioral outcomes

dc.contributor.authorKovalchuk, Anna
dc.contributor.authorUniversity of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
dc.contributor.supervisorKolb, Bryan
dc.date.accessioned2015-09-30T01:39:03Z
dc.date.available2015-09-30T01:39:03Z
dc.date.issued2015
dc.degree.levelMastersen_US
dc.description.abstractBased on the most recent estimates by the Canadian Cancer Society, two in five Canadians will develop cancer in their lifetimes. There is mounting evidence that anti-cancer radiation and chemotherapy cause central nervous system side-effects, including declines in cognitive function, memory, and attention. The mechanisms of these effects are not well understood. Here, we investigated the molecular and cellular effects of two main anti-cancer treatment modalities—radiation therapy and chemotherapy—on the brain using established experimental rodent models. Using a rat model, we showed that radiation therapy-like exposures cause molecular and cellular changes in the brain and impacts animal behavior. Using a mouse model, we also determined that the cytotoxic chemotherapy agents cyclophosphamide and mitomycin C induce oxidative DNA damage and impact molecular and epigenetic processes in the brain. Our results may be used to develop new strategies and interventions to prevent and mitigate radiation and chemotherapy effects on the brain.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipAlberta Cancer Foundation Graduate Scholarship, CIHR, Canada Graduate Scholarship Men_US
dc.embargoNoen_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10133/3754
dc.language.isoen_CAen_US
dc.proquest.subject0317en_US
dc.proquest.subject0602en_US
dc.proquestyesYesen_US
dc.publisherLethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Neuroscienceen_US
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Neuroscienceen_US
dc.publisher.facultyArts and Scienceen_US
dc.relation.ispartofseriesThesis (University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science)en_US
dc.subjectbrainen_US
dc.subjectbehavioren_US
dc.subjectradiation therapyen_US
dc.subjectchemotherapyen_US
dc.subjectepigeneticsen_US
dc.titleEffects of cancer therapies on the brain : from molecular mechanisms to behavioral outcomesen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
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