Previously, we discovered two types of brain microstructural asymmetry: myelin-related asymmetry and axon-related asymmetry in healthy volunteers. In this study, we found that chemotherapy with methotrexate significantly reduced the microstructural asymmetries in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, having a greater impact on asymmetries in younger patients than in older ones. Our results indicate that chemotherapy may lead to atypical brain development long before patients become symptomatic. These results may help to provide insights into neurocognitive deficits caused by chemotherapy.
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