Inclusion Criteria:
For cancer patients, eligibility includes:
- being female
- Age 60+ at diagnosis of a new primary histological confirmed adenocarcinoma breast cancer
- AJCC stages 0-3 or planning neoadjuvant therapy
- In the judgment of the consenting professional, able to communicate well enough in English through verbal and written communication to complete the study assessments and provide informed consent
- If currently taking psychoactive medications (including, but not limited to anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and anxiolytics), dose must have been stable at least two months prior to enrollment.
- Participant report of no previous or current chemotherapy or hormonal treatment use (anastrazole, exemestane, etc.) This does not include hormonal replacement therapy, synthetic thyroid hormones, etc.
For controls, eligibility includes:
- being female
- Age 60+
- In the judgment of the consenting professional, able to communicate well enough in English through verbal and written communication to complete the study assessments and provide informed consent
- If currently taking psychoactive medications (including, but not limited to anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and anxiolytics), dose must have been stable at least two months prior to enrollment.
Exclusion:
We apply the same exclusion criteria for patients and controls.
- Participant report of a history of formal diagnosis of neurological problems (i.e. Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Dementia, Seizure Disorders, brain tumors, etc.)
- Participant report of surgery on the brain for any reason (cancerous or non-cancerous tumors, subdural hematomas, AV malformations, increased intracranial pressure, etc.)
- Participant report of a history of stroke (with the exception of TIA if ≥1 year ago)
- Participant report of HIV/AIDS
- Participant report of moderate to severe head trauma (loss of consciousness > 60 min or with evidence of structural brain changes on imaging)
- History of major psychiatric disorder (DSM-IV Axis 1) (i.e. major depressive disorder (untreated or poorly treated), bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, or substance abuse disorders (self-reported and/or stated in medical record).
- Participant report of a history of prior breast or other cancer with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer. An exception for cases only: women who completed treatment for a previous cancer at least 5 years ago and have not undergone any chemotherapy or hormonal therapy. This previous cancer cannot be breast cancer.
- Participant report of previous or current chemotherapy or hormonal therapy use
- Participant use of methotrexate (Amethopterin, Rhematrex, Trexall) or rituximab (Rituxin) for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis or Crohn's disease, or cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar) for Lupus.
- Visual or hearing impairment that would preclude ability to complete interviews or neuropsychological testing, such as significant macular degeneration or being unable to correct hearing with hearing aides
- Non-English speaking
- To participate in the optional neuroimaging portion of the study:
Participant cannot be claustrophobic Participant cannot have a pacemaker, aneurysm clip or other implants that are not MRI safe Participant cannot have any type of implanted electrical device