Cancer Neuroscience Initiative (CNI)

The Cancer Neuroscience Initiative (CNI) promotes the integration of cancer-related neuroscience within MD Anderson as well as collaborations between MD Anderson and outside neuroscience research groups. The program was established in March 2018.

Current cancer neuroscience research interests include:
 

• Cancer-related neurotoxicity: assessment, mechanisms, and development of pharmacological and behavioral interventions.
• The role of peripheral and central nervous system on tumor growth and metastasis.
• Brain health and accelerated aging in cancer patients.
• Neuroimaging (both preclinical and clinical) in the context of cancer and cancer treatment. 
• Cross-talk between the immune and nervous system in relation to tumor growth and neurotoxicities.

Cancer Neuroscience Initiative Seminar

Held every two months, the symposia provide a podium for neuroscience researchers and clinicians to present their work and collaboration interests. In addition to the two invited speakers, the symposia also allow junior investigators to present their work through Rapid Fire Presentations (five minute maximum), as well as by poster presentations during the social.

Please contact the CNI Program Coordinator for more information or to sign up as a rapid fire speaker/poster presenter on the next seminar.

Upcoming seminar: September 24, 2019

Topic: Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment - Mechanisms and Assessment
Chair: Shelli Kesler, Ph.D. (The University of Texas, Austin) 

Guest speakers will be:

Waleed Gaber, Ph.D. (Baylor College of Medicine)
Radiation-induced deficits can be detected using imaging features 

Ashley Henneghan, Ph.D. (The University of Texas, Austin) 
Understanding self-reported cancer related cognitive impairments

In addition, Rebecca Harrison, M.D. will give a short presentation on a new initiative to standardize and facilitate cognitive assessment for research puporses.

We also have slots available for poster presenters for the September seminar. Contact the CNI Program Coordinator to sign up! 

Future seminars

November 19, 2019

January 21, 2020

Past seminars

The seminar on February 26, 2019 included presentations from Benjamin Deneen, Ph.D. (Baylor College of Medicine) on Variant specific initiation of brain hyperactivity during bliamagenesis and from Rebecca Harrison, M.D. (MD Anderson, Neuro-Oncology) on the clinical challenge of neurologic complications of immune checkpoint inhibition. 

The inaugural CNI seminar was held on Oct. 30, 2018, where Annemieke Kavelaars, Ph.D., presented her work on targeting HDAC6 to present or reverse chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicites and Shelli Kesler, Ph.D., presented her work on neurobiomarkers of cognitive dysfunction in patients with cancer.