SPCR-05 ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT AMONG BRAINTUMOR SURVIVORS

Individuals from underserved communities who received photon radiation are at a disproportionately increased risk of accelerated aging and symptom burden that significantly impacts independence and overall functioning. There is limited knowledge of environmental factors that mitigate these long-term sequelae. The aim of the study is to explore if higher levels of environmental enrichment (EE) are neuroprotective against accelerated brain aging experienced by brain tumor (BT) survivors who received radiation. METHODS: The study employed a retrospective cohort design among persons with low-grade glioma treated with radiation approximately 5 years from the original diagnosis (N=39). EE consists of social network/engagement, physical activity, and employment status/financial stability measured by the Berkman-Syme Social Network Index, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Vocational Index Scale, and Socioeconomic Questionnaires, respectively. EE at enrollment is classified into high, moderate, or low levels. Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Symbol Digit Modality Test at enrollment measure cognitive function. Karnofsky Performance Status Scale and the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory – BT module at enrollment are used to measure functional status. Cortical volume is measured using temporal brain MRI images from the time of diagnosis, 3 and 5 years after diagnosis. Images are processed using FreeSurfer segmentation software. Linear mixed models will estimate mean cerebral atrophy and explore the association to cognitive and functional data across time adjusted for covariates. RESULTS: Research analysis in progress. Thirty-nine participants have been enrolled in the study. The median age is 44, 22 are male, and 27 are female. There are 18 Individuals diagnosed with Astrocytoma and 19 with Oligodendroglioma. Thirty-three percent of individuals have low EE, 43.5% have moderate EE, and 23% have high EE. CONCLUSION: BT survivors are at an increased risk of accelerated aging and progressive neurological decline. EE may serve as a positive stimulation that improves neuroplasticity and reduces accelerated aging after brain radiation.