# Advances in neuroimaging in cancer-related cognitive impairment

**Authors:** Jinxin Li, Feiyun Cui, Yuanshan Yang, Qingting Zhang, Lijiao Zeng, Yulun Li, Yunxian Zhang, Jinbai Huang, Wei Wang

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2026.1738024 · Frontiers in Human Neuroscience · 2026-01-21

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how neuroimaging techniques help understand brain changes in cancer patients experiencing cognitive issues due to cancer and its treatments.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of recent neuroimaging advancements in understanding cancer-related cognitive impairment.

## Key findings

- Cancer treatments affect brain structure, function, metabolism, and blood perfusion, leading to cognitive impairment.
- MRI, PET, and EEG are key tools for studying the neural mechanisms of CRCI.
- Animal model studies support findings on the neurobiological underpinnings of CRCI.

## Abstract

Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a cognitive dysfunction of the brain caused by the tumor itself and antitumor treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and surgery. As a common complication of cancer, CRCI significantly affects patients’ quality of life. In recent years, the neurobiological mechanisms of CRCI have garnered widespread attention. Research indicates that cancer-related therapies lead to CRCI by affecting brain structure, function, metabolism, and blood perfusion. Various neuroimaging techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and electroencephalography (EEG), have been extensively employed to investigate the neurobiological underpinnings of CRCI. This article reviews recent advancements in neuroimaging research on CRCI, focusing on its influencing factors and the neural mechanisms underlying different cognitive domains, and summarizes findings from relevant animal model studies.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** cancer (MONDO:0004992)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** CRCI (MESH:D009369), cognitive dysfunction (MESH:D003072)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

79 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12868142/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12868142