Unintended effects of cranial irradiation on cognitive function.

This review summarizes some of the topics discussed at the 28th Annual Symposium of the Society of Toxicologic Pathology. The symposium was held in Washington, DC, in 2009 and dealt with unintended adverse events associated with cranial irradiation as part of cancer therapy. We will discuss the importance of considering genetic susceptibility and sex differences in susceptibility to develop these adverse events. Further, we will discuss potential mechanisms contributing to these events, including alterations in neurogenesis and increased oxidative stress following irradiation and potential alterations in synaptic and dendritic markers.