Research Findings: Early-Age Dementia Symptoms Detected in Adult Survivors of Hodgkin Lymphoma
In a groundbreaking study presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting 2022, researchers led by AnnaLynn Williams, Ph.D., at the Wilmot Cancer Institute, have shed light on the reasons behind cognitive symptoms experienced by long-term survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma.
The study, which involved 215 individuals who were treated for Hodgkin lymphoma as children and are now in their 30s, found that these individuals, on average, are 7.7 years older biologically than their peers. This accelerated aging, as measured by epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), is linked to the past treatments like radiation that Hodgkin lymphoma survivors often receive.
The study's findings suggest that the cognitive problems experienced by these individuals may be consistent with early signs of dementia. More than 80 percent of the Hodgkin lymphoma survivors experienced EAA, compared to only 20 percent of the control group. The accelerated aging in this group tends to impact memory most often. The test results showed clinically meaningful memory impairment and problems with executive function in the Hodgkin lymphoma survivors.
Current research on delaying cognitive problems in survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma who experience accelerated aging primarily involves risk-based screening and preventive personalised care. Interventions under study are aimed at using EAA to classify survivors into risk groups to tailor screening schedules and preventive strategies.
Physical activity interventions during and after treatment have shown benefits for mental health in children with cancer, and tailored physical activity programs are being researched to improve outcomes such as cognitive function and overall well-being. The broader approach also includes early supportive care interventions for adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors within multi-network clinical trials, although specifics on cognitive interventions are still emerging.
AnnaLynn Williams hopes the study will bring attention to the potential cognitive struggles faced by Hodgkin lymphoma survivors. She also believes that EAA may turn out to be a useful biomarker to improve life for survivors. The research is ongoing to determine if modern treatments for childhood Hodgkin lymphoma will result in similar cognitive decline.
AnnaLynn Williams conducted the study with a team at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The Hodgkin lymphoma survivors in the study gave blood samples and underwent neurocognitive testing. The researchers analyzed the blood samples for DNA methylation, a marker of changes in DNA expression over time.
AnnaLynn Williams, currently an assistant professor of Surgery, division of Supportive Care in Cancer, at the University of Rochester Medical Center, expressed her hope that the study will lead to personalised monitoring, lifestyle interventions like physical activity, and supportive care to potentially delay or mitigate cognitive problems related to accelerated aging in this population.
- The groundbreaking study at the ASH annual meeting 2022, led by AnnaLynn Williams, delves into the science of cognitive symptoms in long-term Hodgkin lymphoma survivors, a health-and-wellness concern that could potentially indicate early signs of dementia.
- In light of the findings, current research focuses on medical-conditions like cognitive problems in survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma through risk-based screening, personalized care, and clinical trials, with mental-health benefits from physical activity interventions under investigation.
- Furthermore, AnnaLynn Williams aims to use epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) as a biomarker to improve the lives of Hodgkin lymphoma survivors, studying its potential in delaying or mitigating cognitive problems related to accelerated aging to inform personalized monitoring, lifestyle interventions, and supportive care.
