# Mitigating Cancer-Related Cognitive Dysfunction in Older Adults with Breast Cancer

> **NIH NIH K76** · UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER · 2022 · $238,397

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Cancer-related cognitive dysfunction (CRCD) is a significant problem, affecting up to 75% of patients receiving
chemotherapy. Older adults are at greater risk of developing CRCD which can negatively affect their functional
independence and quality of life. Memory and Attention Adaptation Training (MAAT) is a promising tool that
improves perceived cognition in younger cancer survivors with CRCD. For older adults with cancer, MAAT
could be delivered alongside chemotherapy to mitigate the development of CRCD (when risk is highest) and
CRCD-related effects on functional independence for older adults. However, MAAT will require adaptation to
meet the unique needs of older adults to optimize usability and efficacy for this population. I have worked with
my mentors to develop preliminary data for this proposal, demonstrating: 1) older patients and caregivers are
concerned about the cognitive effects of chemotherapy; 2) nearly half of patients with breast cancer receiving
adjuvant chemotherapy report a clinically significant decline in self-reported cognition; 3) it is feasible to study
behavioral interventions in clinical trials for older adults with cancer receiving chemotherapy; and 4) older
adults receiving chemotherapy are interested in participating in a clinical trial evaluating a cognitive
intervention. The overarching goal of this proposal is to adapt MAAT for older adults using input from patient
and caregiver stakeholders, and subsequently gather data on the preliminary effects of the adapted MAAT
(MAAT-Geriatrics [G]) on perceived cognition, objective cognitive measures and functional independence in 85
older adults with breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy compared to active control condition in a 2-
arm pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT). The research plan combines the use of standardized quantitative
measures of cognition and functional independence with semi-structured interviews (mixed methods), so that
data from both can be integrated to gain a better understanding of MAAT-G's effects that are not fully captured
by traditional quantitative measures alone. Dr. Magnuson is an emerging leader in the field of geriatric
oncology with a focus on cognition. However, in order to become an independent researcher who designs and
implements behavioral interventions to prevent cognitive decline and improve outcomes for older adults with
cancer, she requires additional training and experience in: 1) CRCD measurement and assessment of biologic
mechanisms of CRCD; 2) the design, execution and analysis of RCTs involving cognitive interventions; 3) the
design and analysis of mixed methods trials; and 4) development and refinement of her leadership skills. An
outstanding mentor team supports this proposal (Mohile/Hurria–geriatric oncology/leadership,
Janelsins/Ferguson–CRCD/cognitive interventions, Lin–cognitive aging, Morrow–behavioral interventions,
Wittink–mixed methods, Culakova-biostatistics). The training and research ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10356909
- **Project number:** 5K76AG064394-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Allison Marian Magnuson
- **Activity code:** K76 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $238,397
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-15 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10356909

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10356909, Mitigating Cancer-Related Cognitive Dysfunction in Older Adults with Breast Cancer (5K76AG064394-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10356909. Licensed CC0.

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