Materiały źródłowe

• #1 Chemo brain – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chemo-brain/symptoms-causes/syc-20351060

  Chemo brain is a widely used term because this condition was first reported in people having chemotherapy treatments. But experts don’t fully know the causes of these concentration and memory changes. There’s likely more than one cause. […] There are many causes of changes in memory and thinking in people with cancer. These chemo brain symptoms can be caused by the cancer, treatment for the cancer, complications of cancer treatment and other things. […] Cancer-related causes may include: The stress of a cancer diagnosis, which can cause worry and distress. These can add to issues with memory and thinking. Chemicals some cancers make that affect memory. Cancers that begin in the brain or spread to the brain may cause changes in thinking. […] Some people may be more likely to get chemo brain based on genetic makeup. Medicines for other cancer-related symptoms, such as pain medicines. Other medical conditions, such as diabetes, thyroid conditions, depression, anxiety and not getting enough nutrients.

• #2 Chemotherapy Brain Fog (Chemo Brain): Symptoms & Treatment

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21032-chemo-brain

  Chemotherapy brain fog, or chemo brain, is feeling as if you cant think as quickly and as clearly as you did before you had cancer or received cancer treatment. […] Healthcare providers have learned that people develop cognitive problems before, during or after receiving treatment. […] Despite its name, chemotherapy brain fog may happen for several different reasons. […] Healthcare providers who study cancer treatment and cognition estimate that 25% to 30% of people who have chemo brain develop symptoms before they start cancer treatment. […] Some studies show people with chemo brain have depression. […] Healthcare providers have found a few risk factors, most of which you cant control. For example, age and underlying medical conditions may increase your risk of developing chemotherapy brain fog before, during or after receiving cancer treatment.

• #3 Changes in Memory, Thinking, and Focus (Chemo Brain) | American Cancer Society

  https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/changes-in-mood-or-thinking/chemo-brain.html

  Some people with cancer notice that they cant think as clearly as they used to. They may have trouble remembering things, focusing, finishing tasks, or learning something new. These are symptoms of cognitive impairment, also known as chemo brain or brain fog. […] It is not clear what causes changes in thinking. But studies show that some cancer treatments can cause changes in how your brain works. […] While this side effect is often called chemo brain, people with cancer can have memory, thinking, and focus changes for other reasons. Changes can happen in people with cancer who have not been treated, gotten other treatments, or have been off treatment for a while. […] Cancer treatments that may increase the risk of changes in thinking include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted drug therapies, and other medicines used as part of treatment, such as steroids, anti-nausea, or pain medicines.

• #4 Understanding Chemo Brain Causes, Symptoms, and Coping Strategies

  https://www.lacancernetwork.com/understanding-chemo-brain-causes-symptoms-and-coping-strategies

  Understanding Chemo Brain Causes, Symptoms, and Coping Strategies […] Chemotherapy brain fog, commonly known as chemo brain, is a cognitive impairment that affects cancer patients undergoing cancer treatment. This condition can show itself as concentration issues, memory issues, and other mental health issues that interfere with day-to-day functioning. […] Causes of Chemo Brain […] The specific cause of chemo brain is not entirely understood. But several things could influence how it develops: […] Chemotherapy Drugs […] Certain chemotherapy medications have been associated with cognitive changes in patients. These drugs may impact brain function, leading to symptoms of chemo brain. […] Hormone Therapy […] Hormone therapy, commonly used in breast or prostate cancer treatment, can influence cognitive function. This treatment may affect brain regions crucial for cognitive processes, contributing to chemo brain symptoms.

• #5 Fat Molecule in Brain Linked to Chemo Brain – NCI

  https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2022/chemo-brain-prevention-s1p

  Also referred to as cancer-related cognitive impairment, chemo brain can be marked by severe memory problems, a lack of mental sharpness, and what is often described as a mental fog. […] The chemotherapy drug cisplatin is commonly linked to chemo brain. In a new study, a research team identified what they believe may be a key biological change responsible for chemo brain in people treated with cisplatin. […] The increased S1P had several biological effects that are thought to trigger chemo brain, including altering mitochondrial activity in brain cells and promoting inflammation. […] A significant number of patients who undergo cisplatin treatment are affected by persistent cognitive impairment. […] The researchers then analyzed areas of the mouse brains that are important for cognition. As in their pain studies, the researchers found that levels of S1P had increased in these areas after cisplatin treatment, which caused other brain changes, including inflammation, that have been linked to cognitive impairment.

• #6 How Long Does Chemo Brain Last?

  https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2023/08/how-long-does-chemo-brain-last

  Chemo brain may happen at any point during a patients cancer treatment journey. […] While researchers have linked multiple cancer treatments and other factors to cognitive issues in cancer patients, its widely believed that chemo brain is aptly named. […] According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the frequently prescribed chemotherapy drug cisplatin is often linked to chemo brain. […] A significant number of patients who undergo cisplatin treatment are affected by persistent cognitive impairment. […] Canadian researchers have concluded that cognitive difficulties may be a result of inflammation that starts during cancers progression and occurs before any treatments are given.

• #7 'Chemo brain’ caused by malfunction in three types of brain cells | News Center

  https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2018/12/chemo-brain-caused-by-malfunction-in-three-types-of-brain-cells.html

  Three types of cells in the brain’s white matter show interwoven problems during the cognitive dysfunction that follows treatment with the cancer drug methotrexate, Stanford neuroscientists have found. […] In a new study explaining the cellular mechanisms behind this condition, scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine have demonstrated that a widely used chemotherapy drug, methotrexate, causes a complex set of problems in three major cell types within the brain’s white matter. […] Scientists have long known that drugs like methotrexate impair all of the body’s rapidly dividing cells, but how such drugs affect the function of brain cells has been poorly understood. […] „Cognitive dysfunction after cancer therapy is a real and recognized syndrome,” said Michelle Monje, MD, PhD, associate professor of neurology and neurological sciences and the study’s senior author.

• #8 Chemo brain: Definition, Symptoms, Causes, and More

  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-is-chemo-brain

  Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that stops or slows cancer cell growth. Some people undergoing chemotherapy develop cognitive side effects, or chemo brain. This condition, also known as cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), affects brain function and may cause issues with memory and concentration. […] Experts believe that cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs are responsible for chemo brain. […] A 2017 study on mice notes that exposure to chemotherapy leads to changes in DNA, which may have a negative effect on brain function. […] Certain chemotherapy drugs can also affect signaling between different molecules in the body. Signal disruption may also lead to chemo brain. […] Research into the causes of chemo brain remains limited. And causes may differ depending on the person and the type of chemotherapy drug they receive.

• #9 What is Chemo-brain and what can I do about it? – OWise UK

  https://owise.uk/what-is-chemobrain/

  Indeed studies with breast cancer patients have found significant associations between depression and CRCD. […] Various genes are being investigated for their possible role in CRCD. For example, COMT genes regulate neurotransmitters which help brain cells communicate between each other while BDNF and APOE genes play a role in neural repair and growth. Differences in these genes can increase risk of cognitive dysfunction. […] Chemotherapy can damage DNA in cells, accelerating cell aging and hindering cell growth. Processes involved in repairing DNA can also be affected by chemotherapy. This can result in an accumulation of DNA damage that can accelerate the death of neurons (cells in the brain). This would impair brain plasticity (how the brain grows, learns and adapts) leading to issues with various brain functions.

• #10 Researchers find potential causes of 'chemo brain’ and exercises that may help

  https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2020/05/causes-chemo-brain-exercises-to-help

  Many chemotherapy patients know the feeling all too well: a mental fogginess that permeates the brain and can disrupt even the most routine tasks. It is popularly known as chemo brain, but doctors describe it as post-treatment cognitive difficulty, because it can occur after chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy, as well as anti-hormonal therapy. […] Researchers at Stanford University believe they have found one of the underlying causes of chemo brain. Stanford scientists have concluded that some chemotherapy drugs affect specific types of cells found in the white matter of the brain. […] Research indicates chemotherapy may prevent some brain cells in the white matter to reproduce and other cells may not mature properly. […] Canadian researchers have concluded that cognitive difficulties may be a result of inflammation that occurs before any treatments are given. Research indicates that cytokines released by the body to fight tumor growth, may lead to inflammation in the brain.

• #11 'Chemo brain’ caused by malfunction in three types of brain cells | News Center

  https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2018/12/chemo-brain-caused-by-malfunction-in-three-types-of-brain-cells.html

  Methotrexate chemotherapy was found to damage the brain’s populations of oligodendrocyte precursor cells. […] More precursor cells than normal were starting down the path of maturation to oligodendrocytes, but they were getting stuck in an intermediate, immature state. […] Transmission electron microscopy of the mouse brains after methotrexate administration revealed deficiencies in the thickness of the myelin insulation around nerve fibers, similar to changes in the brains of humans who have received chemotherapy. […] Further study showed that microglia, the brain’s immune cells, were persistently activated after methotrexate exposure for at least six months. […] Administering a drug that selectively depleted microglia to mice that had been treated with methotrexate reversed many of the cognitive symptoms of chemo brain and reversed the abnormalities in maturation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells, activation of astrocytes and myelin thickness. […] „If we understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to cognitive dysfunction after cancer therapy, that will help us develop strategies for effective treatment,” Monje said.

• #12 Chemo brain: From discerning mechanisms to lifting the brain fog—An aging connection

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5539816/

  Mounting evidence indicates that cancer treatments cause numerous deleterious effects, including central nervous system (CNS) toxicity. Chemotherapy-caused CNS side effects encompass changes in cognitive function, memory, and attention, to name a few. […] Although chemotherapy treatment-induced side effects occur in 1675% of all patients, the mechanisms of these effects are not well understood. […] The underlying mechanisms of chemotherapy-related cognitive dysfunction need to be further elucidated. […] Recently, increasing amounts of data have shown that chemotherapy imposes toxic effects on the cellular populations of the CNS. […] Chemotherapy induces oxidative stress and apoptosis, inhibits neuronal proliferation and differentiation, activates microglia, and affects chromatin remodeling, leading to the aberrant expression of neurotrophic proteins in the brains of experimental animals.

• #13 Post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-chemotherapy_cognitive_impairment

  Fifty-six of the 132 chemotherapy agents approved by the FDA have been reported to induce oxidative stress. […] The drug doxorubicin (adriamycin) has been investigated as a PCCI-causing agent due to its production of reactive oxygen species. […] Research has revealed that neural progenitor cells are particularly vulnerable to the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy agents. […] Due to the critical role the hippocampus plays in memory, it has been the focus of various studies involving post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment. […] This evidence suggests that chemotherapy agent toxicity to cells in the hippocampus may be partially responsible for the memory declines experienced by some patients.

• #14

  https://communication.depaul.edu/faculty-and-staff/research/Pages/what-why-chemo-brain.aspx

  Chemotherapy is a notable exception. […] In the years since, however, researchers have verified changes to the brain and scores of academic articles have attempted to trace its etiology. […] Existing scholarship reports that chemo brain can last for up to ten years post-treatment. […] Chemo brain and insomnia, for example, are difficult to quantify. […] So, what do chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment, long COVID, and auto-immune diseases have in common? You guessed it. Suppressed immune systems. […] Cytokines are proteins that have an important role in immune response. […] Chemotherapy assails cancer cells to be sure but likewise assails those healthy white blood cells called leukocytes, which are the cells of our immune system that protect us against infection. […] Furthermore, Doxirubicin, one of the ingredients in my chemo cocktails, is now considered to be the specific chemical which contributes to cognitive impairment.

• #15 Definition of chemo brain – NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms – NCIFacebookFollow on XInstagramYoutubeLinkedin

  https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/chemo-brain

  A term commonly used to describe thinking and memory problems that a patient with cancer may have before, during, or after cancer treatment. […] Chemo brain may be caused by the cancer itself (such as brain tumors) or by cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy and other anticancer drugs, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and surgery. […] It may also be caused by conditions related to cancer treatment, such as anemia, fatigue, infection, pain, hormone changes, sleep problems, nutrition problems, stress, anxiety, and depression.

• #16 What is chemo brain and how long does it last? | OSF HealthCare

  https://www.osfhealthcare.org/blog/what-is-chemo-brain-and-how-long-does-it-last/

  Chemo brain got its name because its often believed to be caused by chemotherapy, but thats only one of the possible causes for the brain fog a patient experiences. […] Chemo itself is toxic poison we use to kill cancer, Erin said. […] Radiation therapy delivered to the head or neck area may also cause some neurological issues. […] And some issues can be caused by the cancer itself, especially a brain tumor. […] Some cancers that are not in the brain can impact your ability to think, too, because they give off chemicals that can cause issues with focus and memory. […] Chemo brain is an enigma because every patient is going to be different, Erin said. A lot of it comes from just being overwhelmed with treatment. […] Chemo brain can impact your memory, concentration and ability to problem solve for several months after chemotherapy has ended even up to a year.

• #17 Understanding Chemo Brain Causes, Symptoms, and Coping Strategies

  https://www.lacancernetwork.com/understanding-chemo-brain-causes-symptoms-and-coping-strategies

  Radiotherapy […] Radiation therapy, another common cancer treatment, may also impact mental function. Fatigue and other side effects associated with radiotherapy can contribute to cognitive changes experienced by patients. […] Psychological Factors […] The emotional and psychological stress of a cancer diagnosis and treatment can play a significant role in mental impairment. Anxiety, depression, and fatigue are everyday experiences among cancer patients and may worsen the symptoms of chemo brain. […] Physical Issues […] Physical factors such as sleep disturbances and appetite changes can contribute to cognitive changes. For instance, anxiety and stress related to cancer treatment may lead to sleep deprivation, impacting cognitive function.

• #18 Can chemotherapy damage your brain? | Cancer Council

  https://www.cancer.org.au/iheard/can-chemotherapy-damage-your-brain

  Other studies have found that hormonal treatment for cancer can also be associated with memory and concentration problems. […] Generally, memory and concentration problems improve with time, but for some the problem can remain long term. […] There is a lack of evidence for how best to treat cognitive problems associated with cancer.

• #19 Cognitive changes (chemo brain) | Macmillan Cancer Support

  https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/chemo-brain

  During cancer treatment, you may notice changes in your memory, concentration or your ability to think clearly. These are called cancer-related cognitive changes (CRCC). […] The causes are unclear. Research suggests that it may be caused by a combination of factors. […] Some risk factors may include: certain cancer types such as brain tumours, cancer treatments including chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and steroids, treatment to the brain, such as intrathecal chemotherapy or radiotherapy to the brain, high-dose treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, side effects of cancer treatment, such as infection, low number of red blood cells (anaemia), extreme tiredness (fatigue), sleep problems, poor nutrition and menopause, emotional reactions to cancer and treatment, such as anxiety and depression, non-cancer drugs such as painkillers or anti-sickness (anti-emetic) medicines.

• #20 ‘Chemo brain’ (cancer-related cognitive impairment) | Lymphoma Action

  https://lymphoma-action.org.uk/about-lymphoma-side-effects-treatment/chemo-brain-cancer-related-cognitive-impairment

  There are many possible causes of chemo brain. […] The type, intensity and how long treatment goes on for can affect your likelihood of experiencing chemo brain. […] Living with cancer can have a significant impact on your emotional wellbeing. For example, some people experience low mood, depression and anxiety, all of which can affect thinking processes such as concentration and memory. […] The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends trying non-drug approaches to help manage cognitive difficulties. For people who have tried these and continue to experience significant challenges, doctors might suggest medication that is primarily used as an anti-depressant or anti-dementia drugs. […] There are currently no clear conclusions about chemotherapy and dementia, and scientists continue to research whether there is a link between the two.

• #21 Side Effect Management – Chemo Brain – Minnesota Oncology

  https://mnoncology.com/patients/current-patient-resources/side-effect-management/side-effect-management-chemo-brain

  Chemo brain is a term commonly used to describe the cognitive decline you may experience before, during, and/or after cancer treatment, even if you have not been treated with chemotherapy. […] The exact cause of chemo brain is unclear. Some cancer patients who have never had chemotherapy experience these symptoms. Because of this, it has been suggested that it could be a combination of factors including: […] Cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy […] The cancer itself (particularly brain cancer) […] Surgery and the anesthesia used during surgery […] Medications, such as antibiotics, antidepressants, heart medications, anti-nausea medications, or pain medications […] Anemia (low red blood cell counts) […] Poor nutrition […] Infection […] Sleep problems […] Fatigue […] Age at the time of diagnosis […] Stress and other emotions such as anxiety and depression […] Other illnesses, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

• #22 ‘Chemo brain’ may have targetable causes | MDedge

  https://www.mdedge.com/oncologypractice/article/88386/geriatrics/chemo-brain-may-have-targetable-causes

  ‘Chemo brain’ may have targetable causes […] The risk for cognitive decline following cancer treatment varies by both cancer and therapy types, and can range from subtle changes to severe deficits, according to a researcher. […] Patients who are older, have lower cognitive reserves, or have comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes are at risk for cognitive problems following cancer treatment, said Tim A. Ahles, Ph.D., director of the Neurocognitive Research Laboratory, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York. […] There is also a dose-response effect, with high-dose chemotherapy such as ablative regimens used for bone-marrow transplantation being associated with higher probability of cognitive problems. […] Evidence from breast cancer studies has shown that about 20%-25% of patients have lower than expected cognitive functioning – based on age, education, occupation, and other factors – before they embark on adjuvant therapy. […] A significant subset of women in longitudinal studies of breast cancer survivors – about 15%-30% – experience long-term posttreatment cognitive problems, making it imperative for researchers and clinicians to identify risk factors for persistent cognitive decline, he said. […] There is evidence to suggest that cancer treatments may interplay with biologic factors at the cellular level to increase the risk for cognitive loss. […] The effects of age on the brain are attenuated, however, among patients with higher cognitive reserves, defined as a combination of innate and developed cognitive capacity. […] High cognitive reserve has been associated with later onset of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms and smaller changes in cognitive function with normal aging or following a brain injury, Dr. Ahles noted. […] In a longitudinal study of cognitive changes associated with adjuvant therapy for breast cancer, Dr. Ahles and colleagues found that both age and pretreatment cognitive reserve were related to posttreatment decline in processing speed in women exposed to chemotherapy, compared with those who did not have chemotherapy or with healthy controls. […] Genes associated with cognitive aging are also risk factors for posttreatment cognitive decline, notably the genetic variants of APOE, including the epsilon 4 (APOE-e4) allele linked to increased risk for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. […] Dr. Ahles and colleagues had previously shown that APOE-e4 may be a biomarker for increased risk for chemotherapy-induced cognitive decline.

• #23 Get cognitive therapy and coping strategies for chemo brain | OHSU Knight Cancer Institute | Portland, OR

  https://www.ohsu.edu/knight-cancer-institute/chemo-brain

  Chemo brain is a common side effect of cancer and cancer treatment. It is often described as a fog or cloud that interferes with thinking. […] Scientists are still working to understand the causes of chemo brain. Some patients have symptoms before treatment. Researchers think they may be caused by types of cancer that trigger changes in the central nervous system. […] Some chemotherapy drugs can cause temporary inflammation in the brain, which has been linked to thinking problems. Radiation therapy and hormone therapy can also cause inflammation. […] Many cancer patients face stress, which is also linked to thinking problems. Finally, cancer can make it harder to get a good night’s sleep, which can also cloud thinking.

• #24 Cognitive impairment (chemo brain) | Breast Cancer Now

  https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/treatment/chemotherapy/chemotherapy-side-effects/cognitive-impairment-chemo-brain

  During and after breast cancer treatment, you may find it difficult to concentrate or feel more forgetful. This is sometimes called chemo brain or brain fog. […] Its not known exactly what causes changes to memory and concentration following cancer treatment. […] Some experts think chemotherapy may speed up the normal ageing process. […] Theres some evidence hormone therapies, such as letrozole, can also cause symptoms of cognitive impairment. The evidence for this is mixed and more research is needed to understand the causes. […] Other factors may contribute to cognitive impairment, such as fatigue, difficulty sleeping, menopausal symptoms, and poor diet.

• #25 ‘Chemo Brain’ May Have Targetable Causes | Clinician Reviews

  https://www.mdedge9-ma1.mdedge.com/clinicianreviews/article/88680/mental-health/chemo-brain-may-have-targetable-causes

  Cognitive decline following chemotherapy may be an interplay of aging and drug-induced molecular changes. […] An estimated 20%-25% of women in breast cancer studies have lower than predicted cognitive function before starting chemotherapy. […] The risk for cognitive decline following cancer treatment varies by both cancer and therapy types, and can range from subtle changes to severe deficits. […] Patients who are older, have lower cognitive reserves, or have comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes are at risk for cognitive problems following cancer treatment. […] Evidence from breast cancer studies has shown that about 20%-25% of patients have lower than expected cognitive functioning based on age, education, occupation, and other factors before they embark on adjuvant therapy.

• #26 Lifting the Fog on 'Chemo Brain’

  https://www.curetoday.com/view/lifting-the-fog-on-chemo-brain

  In fact, the results of a 2016 study comparing cognitive function in patients with breast cancer with that of cancer-free people of the same age showed that patients with cancer had substantially more difficulties for as long as six months after treatment. […] Although often associated with breast cancer, cancer-related cognitive impairment can occur with any type of the disease, including prostate and colon cancer, and in patients undergoing stem cell transplant for leukemia or lymphoma. […] Researchers are also looking into the idea of cognitive reserve, or a kind of knowledge bank someone might acquire throughout life. […] Genetic factors might also increase vulnerability. […] According to Ganz, inflammation might be a factor. […] Inflammation may even set off chemo brain before treatment is given, according to a team of researchers who studied the issue in mice.

• #27 Chemo Brain: Causes, Signs, and Treatment

  https://www.healthline.com/health/chemo-brain

  Chemo brain is a term used to describe the cognitive decline you may experience while undergoing cancer treatment. Patients often describe it as a foggy thought process, marked by lack of focus and the inability to concentrate. […] Doctors have found a link between chemo and thinking and memory problems. But there could be other contributing factors to consider. […] Complications of chemo such as anemia or hormonal imbalance can affect cognition. Insomnia, anxiety, and depression could play a role in cog-fog as well. […] Not everyone who undergoes radiation therapy or chemotherapy will experience cognitive complications. […] Some factors that could increase your risk of suffering chemo brain include certain types of cancer (particularly brain cancer), radiation to the central nervous system (which includes the brain and spinal cord), your age at the time of diagnosis, the potency of chemo or radiation you’re exposed to, and whole brain radiation therapy.

• #28 What are cognitive changes (chemo brain)? | Treatment for cancer | Cancer Research UK

  https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/treatment/cancer-drugs/side-effects/chemo-brain/about

  Some people might be more likely to have cognitive impairment following a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Risk factors include: older age, lifestyle, genetics, anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), fatigue, and difficulty staying and falling asleep (insomnia) related to a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

• #28 What are cognitive changes (chemo brain)? | Treatment for cancer | Cancer Research UK

  https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/treatment/cancer-drugs/side-effects/chemo-brain/about

  Cognitive changes include problems with memory, concentration and how a person can think. […] These problems were first reported after chemotherapy treatment. For example, researchers first looked at this in women with breast cancer. They found that chemotherapy might be the cause. […] But the term chemo brain is misleading. Doctors now think these problems could be due to various reasons. This includes the different cancer treatments and the cancer itself. […] Its not exactly clear what causes these cognitive changes in people with cancer. Researchers think that treatments may cause changes and inflammation in brain cells. They suggest that it could be a combination of factors, including: the diagnosis of cancer and all the stress and emotion that this brings, the cancer itself, cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and some targeted drugs, very intensive treatment such as high dose chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant, side effects of treatment such as fatigue, low levels of red blood cells in the blood (anaemia), sleep disturbances or hormonal changes, low mood, stress and anxiety.

• #29 ‘Chemo Brain’ May Have Targetable Causes | Clinician Reviews

  https://www.mdedge9-ma1.mdedge.com/clinicianreviews/article/88680/mental-health/chemo-brain-may-have-targetable-causes

  A significant subset of women in longitudinal studies of breast cancer survivors about 15%-30% experience long-term posttreatment cognitive problems, making it imperative for researchers and clinicians to identify risk factors for persistent cognitive decline. […] There is evidence to suggest that cancer treatments may interplay with biologic factors at the cellular level to increase the risk for cognitive loss. […] The effects of age on the brain are attenuated, however, among patients with higher cognitive reserves, defined as a combination of innate and developed cognitive capacity. […] High cognitive reserve has been associated with later onset of Alzheimers disease symptoms and smaller changes in cognitive function with normal aging or following a brain injury. […] In a longitudinal study of cognitive changes associated with adjuvant therapy for breast cancer, Dr. Ahles and colleagues found that both age and pretreatment cognitive reserve were related to posttreatment decline in processing speed in women exposed to chemotherapy.

• #30 What to know about chemo brain and helpful coping strategies

  https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/what-is-chemo-brain

  Chemo brain is a common term cancer survivors use to describe thinking and memory problems that can happen during and after cancer treatment. […] Its exact cause isnt known, and symptoms can crop up any time when you have cancer. […] Chemo brain is most commonly connected with chemotherapy, but other treatments, such as hormone therapy, radiation and surgery may play a role. […] Certain things can increase the risk of developing chemo brain or worsening brain function problems. These include: The cancer itself, for example, brain tumors; Other drugs used as part of treatment, such as steroids, anti-nausea or pain medicines; Conditions or illnesses, such as diabetes or high blood pressure; Other symptoms like tiredness, pain, or sleep problems; Emotional distress, such as depression, anxiety or weakness that comes with aging; Surgery and the drugs used during surgery (anesthesia); An infection; Hormone changes or hormone treatments; Being postmenopausal, nutritional deficiencies, using alcohol or other substances that can change your mental state.

• #31 How to Reverse Chemo Brain | Cognitive FX

  https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/how-to-reverse-chemo-brain

  All the dying cells cause inflammation and other problems, which in turn affect cognitive function in over 60% of chemotherapy patients. Some experience chemo brain for only a short while, and others have it for years after their cancer treatment. […] There may be a connection between previous brain injury (even a mild concussion) and developing the longer-lasting chemo brain symptoms; more on that later. […] While the changes arent structural your brain will likely look normal on a regular MRI because the damage is subcellular scientists have observed changes in the brain with functional MRI (fMRI) after chemotherapy. […] Note: Chemotherapy isnt the only cancer therapy known to cause chemo brain. Radiation and other common treatments may result in cognitive difficulties as well. Even leukemia and lymphoma patients who received blood and marrow transplants have an increased risk of developing chemo brain. Cancer treatment is complicated, and chemotherapy is just one contributor to cognitive changes.

• #32 Chemo Brain After Cancer Treatment is Not Imaginary

  https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/cognitive-problems-after-cancer-treatment-are-not-imaginary

  Estimates of the prevalence of chemo brain in cancer patients vary considerably. […] Chemotherapy is not the only cancer treatment associated with cognitive problems. Chemo brain also occurs with targeted biologic therapies such as trastuzumab (Herceptin) and hormonal therapies, like tamoxifen. […] Cognitive deficits can occur even in the absence of chemotherapy. A study in young men (average age of 31) with testicular cancer found that 40 percent exhibited cognitive impairment after surgery but before chemotherapy. […] One reason for greater acceptance of chemo brain as a real condition, according to Lynne P. Taylor, M.D., FAAN, a neuro-oncologist and director of the brain tumor clinic at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA, is better imaging of the brain. Imaging studies show white matter changes in the brains of people who report symptoms of chemo brain, particularly in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.

• #33 Lifting the Fog on 'Chemo Brain’

  https://www.curetoday.com/view/lifting-the-fog-on-chemo-brain

  A small 2011 study of women with breast cancer used scans to show that patients who were treated with chemotherapy had less brain activity related to executive function tasks compared with those not given chemotherapy. […] Both Birckbichler and Tako found that no treatments were available to help them combat the cognitive effects of cancer and its therapies. […] Medications are sometimes used to treat chemo brain: methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin and others), indicated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Aricept (donepezil) and Namenda (memantine), both typically prescribed in people with Alzheimers; and Provigil (modafinil), used for certain sleep disorders. […] There is a whole list of other problems that can cause cognitive impairment, Meyer says. Among them: depression, anxiety, vitamin D deficiency, sleep apnea, thyroid disease and anemia.

• #34 What is Chemo-brain and what can I do about it? – OWise UK

  https://owise.uk/what-is-chemobrain/

  Studies have revealed abnormal brain activation in breast cancer patients who report CD. EEG findings indicate difficulty in sustained attention, different resource allocation and brain patterns indicative of increased mind wandering. […] There is still no gold standard assessment to provide a CRCD diagnosis. Clinicians and researchers rely on patient and caregiver self-report measures. […] A small trial with breast cancer patients reported positive effects of modafinil on memory and attention. Participants improved in quality of memories, speed of remembering and ability to maintain attention. More studies on the use of stimulants are needed but results are promising.

• #35 Reddit – The heart of the internet

  https://www.reddit.com/r/science/comments/34muwv/research_shows_that_chemotherapy_can_lead_to/

  Research shows that chemotherapy can lead to excessive mind wandering and an inability to concentrate. Dubbed chemo-brain, the negative cognitive effects of the cancer treatment have long been suspected, but the study is the first to explain why patients have difficulty paying attention.

• #36 Chemo brain: From discerning mechanisms to lifting the brain fog—An aging connection

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5539816/

  Furthermore, the frequency and timing of chemo brain occurrence and persistence suggest that its origins may be epigenetic and associated with aberrant global gene expression patterns. […] Our analysis focused on the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) and was based on their pivotal roles in memory, learning, and executive functions. […] The results show that the PFCs of females may be more vulnerable than those of males in the long-term because the significant changes observed in females at 3 weeks post-exposure to MMC were not apparent in males. […] Moreover, the majority of the changes induced by MMC in the PFC tissues of female mice resembled those that occur during aging processes, suggesting that chemotherapy exposures may accelerate brain aging. […] Chemo brain is hypothesized to manifest itself in tumor-bearing mice and is more pronounced in treated animals than in untreated ones, whereas the presence of a tumor itself also affects molecular networks in the brain.

• #37 Cellular mechanisms and treatments for chemobrain: insight from aging and neurodegenerative diseases

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7278555/

  Reduced neurogenesis is a common factor in aging and neurodegenerative diseases. […] Because memory problems are common symptoms of chemobrain, it is not surprising that reduced neurogenesis is the most commonly studied mechanism for chemobrain. […] Current studies are limited primarily to the hippocampus and associated regions. […] Neurotransmitter dysregulation, often a reduction in availability, is observed in most neurological disorders. […] Supporting evidence for the involvement of neurotransmitters comes from studies correlating variants of catecholOmethyltransferase (COMT) with differential risks of developing chemobrain in cancer survivors. […] Work investigating neurotransmitter alterations in chemobrain remains sparse. […] The involvement of glial cells, either hypoactivation or hyperactivation, requires more investigation.

• #38 Cellular mechanisms and treatments for chemobrain: insight from aging and neurodegenerative diseases

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7278555/

  There is a common consensus that chronic neuroinflammation is responsible for maintaining longterm cognitive dysfunctions in aging and neurodegenerative diseases. […] Elevated peripheral cytokines were also observed in cancer survivors receiving various regimens of chemotherapeutic drugs. […] Despite significant advances in our understanding of chemobrain, both at the clinical level and at the cellularmolecular basis, several challenges persist. […] With sufficient knowledge of the consequence of chemotherapy at all levelsmolecular, cellular, and behavioralbetter prevention or treatment options can be developed.

• #39 Cellular mechanisms and treatments for chemobrain: insight from aging and neurodegenerative diseases

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7278555/

  The lifelong proliferation and turnover of glial cells make them vulnerable to chemotherapy. […] In addition, damage to neurons or glial cells can activate microglia and astrocytes, leading to neuroinflammation that maintains chronic deficits. […] This suggests that a small insult can tip the scale, triggering a cascade of events resulting in chemobrain. […] Chemotherapeutic drugs may also have offtarget effects independent of their anticancer mechanisms. […] With such complexity and heterogeneity in molecular mechanisms, potential convergent downstream cellular consequences present more readily available targets for treatments or preventions. […] Similar to normal aging, chemobrain involves a subtle loss of cognitive functions, such that chemobrain has been proposed to mimic accelerated aging.

• #40 Suffering from

  https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/suffering-from-chemo-brain-theres-hope-and-many-things-you-can-do-2019112018403

  Some of the most common symptoms experienced by cancer patients are memory problems, difficulties with multitasking, and reduced attention and concentration. […] Research over the past decade has revealed that many cancer patients experience such symptoms as a consequence of specific damage to the brain caused by either their tumor or their treatment. […] Extensive research over the past decade has identified how chemotherapy targets brain structure and function as an unwanted side effect of cancer therapy. […] New research suggests there may be a connection between the immune system, the bone marrow, and the brain, highlighting new avenues for future pharmacological and biological therapies that may enhance brain function after injury and delay the process of brain aging.

• #41 Changes in Memory, Thinking, and Focus (Chemo Brain) | American Cancer Society

  https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/changes-in-mood-or-thinking/chemo-brain.html

  Other things can increase the risk of changes in thinking or make these changes worse, such as the cancer itself, other conditions or illnesses, symptoms of cancer or cancer treatment, infection, stress, anxiety, or depression, low red blood cell counts (anemia), hormone changes, not eating enough or getting the right nutrients in your diet, older age, being weak or frail, and using alcohol or other substances that can affect your brain. […] Most of these cause short-term problems that get better as the cause is treated or goes away on its own. Others can lead to longer-lasting changes in thinking unless the cause is treated.

• #42 Chemo Brain and Cognitive Side Effects – Together by St. Jude™

  https://together.stjude.org/en-us/treatment-tests-procedures/symptoms-side-effects/chemo-brain.html

  Some cancer patients have changes in cognitive function during cancer treatment. […] Cognitive side effects during cancer are not fully understood, and there may be different causes including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or hydrocephalus. […] Cognitive side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy likely have multiple causes. Cancer treatments can impact the brain directly through effects on cell growth, inflammation, and blood supply. […] Other factors may also affect thinking, attention, and memory in patients with cancer. These include: Medicines such as anti-nausea medicines, pain medicines, and corticosteroids; Surgery and anesthesia; Infection; Low blood counts; Changes in hormones; Stress, anxiety, or depression; Changes in routine and environment; Sleep problems and fatigue; Poor nutrition; Problems with hearing or vision. […] It is important for families to keep in mind that the development of cognitive problems may not be related to the cancer experience. Symptoms may instead reflect familial risk or developmental problems unrelated to treatment (e.g., dyslexia or ADHD).

• #43 Everything You Need to Know About Chemo Brain | Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

  https://blog.dana-farber.org/insight/2015/12/tips-for-managing-chemobrain/

  Over two-thirds of patients who receive chemotherapy report experiencing a mental fog during or after treatment. Among patients, this is often referred to as chemo brain. […] Its important to look at the big picture, Sholevar says, since there are several possible causes including chemotherapy. Determining the source of these cognitive symptoms is key to managing them. […] Some chemotherapies including cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, 5-FU, and taxol seem to be particularly closely associated with chemo brain, but there are others that can cause the condition. […] Mental health may also be the cause of brain fog. Even in the absence of chemotherapy, depression and anxiety can affect cognition. Research has shown that inflammation caused by depression can erode and disturb connections causing cognitive symptoms.

• #44 Everything You Need to Know About Chemo Brain | Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

  https://blog.dana-farber.org/insight/2015/12/tips-for-managing-chemobrain/

  People who are being treated for cancer are often taking other medications that can temporarily affect cognition including opioids for pain, benzodiazepines for anxiety, and steroids used after stem cell transplants. Radiation to the brain will also affect cognition. […] Certain vitamin deficiencies may also be the cause of chemo brain. A physician can evaluate whether you are getting enough vitamin D and B12, which are closely linked with chemo brain.

• #45 How to Reverse Chemo Brain | Cognitive FX

  https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/how-to-reverse-chemo-brain

  The culprit behind cognitive changes after a brain injury is neurovascular coupling dysfunction. Its also a key but little-known component of chemo brain. […] Neurovascular coupling (NVC) is the relationship between your neurons and the blood vessels that supply them with what they need to do their jobs. […] When your neurons fire, they need a certain amount of oxygen and other resources. The brain doesnt have an infinite supply of those resources, so it needs to deliver them efficiently for you to function at your best. […] But chemotherapy can disrupt that healthy communication pattern. Chemo drugs like methotrexate reduce the population of new, healthy glial cells and cause inflammation (which we know to be a key part of developing NVC dysfunction after traumatic brain injury). […] In addition, chemotherapy may also have a negative impact on vascular structure, which further exacerbates the communication problems your brain experiences during and after chemotherapy.

• #46 How to Reverse Chemo Brain | Cognitive FX

  https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/how-to-reverse-chemo-brain

  Over time, all these issues make your brain cells supremely unhappy. […] The result is NVC dysfunction. […] The result is the symptoms associated with chemo brain. […] Chemo brain may resolve on its own a few months after you finish chemotherapy, or it might stretch on for years, if left untreated. […] If your cognitive problems and other symptoms persist six months after you stop chemotherapy, you may want to seek treatment. […] If you still have chemo brain twelve months after ending cancer treatment, we strongly recommend seeking medical assistance. […] Different types of chemotherapy have different average recovery times for chemo brain, so you can ask your doctor about your specific situation. […] Chemo takes a big toll on your system. […] While your brain has neuroplasticity working in its favor, certain cells will not grow back if damaged during chemotherapy. […] There are no guarantees for how much youll recover. […] That said, most people make significant progress with a good treatment program. Their symptoms decline, their quality of life improves, and they have the tools to fight off additional cognitive decline down the road.

• #47 ‘Chemo Brain’ May Have Targetable Causes | Clinician Reviews

  https://www.mdedge9-ma1.mdedge.com/clinicianreviews/article/88680/mental-health/chemo-brain-may-have-targetable-causes

  Genes associated with cognitive aging are also risk factors for posttreatment cognitive decline, notably the genetic variants of APOE, including the epsilon 4 (APOE-e4) allele linked to increased risk for early-onset Alzheimers disease. […] Dr. Ahles and colleagues had previously shown that APOE-e4 may be a biomarker for increased risk for chemotherapy-induced cognitive decline.

• #48 Cognitive changes (chemo brain) | Macmillan Cancer Support

  https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/chemo-brain

  It is difficult to prevent or treat problems with memory or concentration because it is not clear what causes them. Research is going on to find ways to prevent cognitive changes and effective treatments. […] Research is being done to find out the following: which chemotherapy drugs or combination of drugs affect cognitive functioning, how other cancer treatments affect cognitive functioning, what can be done to reduce the risk, how cognitive functioning improves after treatment, what can improve symptoms.

• #49 Cellular mechanisms and treatments for chemobrain: insight from aging and neurodegenerative diseases

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7278555/

  Chemotherapy is a lifesaving treatment for cancer patients, but also causes longterm cognitive impairment, or chemobrain, in survivors. […] However, several challenges, including imprecise diagnosis criteria, multiple confounding factors, and unclear and heterogeneous molecular mechanisms, impede effective investigation of preventions and treatments for chemobrain. […] We start by outlining why the postmitotic adult brain is particularly vulnerable to chemotherapy. […] We further identify existing neurological drugs targeting these cellular mechanisms that can be repurposed as treatments for chemobrain, some of which were already shown to be effective in animal models. […] The postmitotic brain also exhibits diminished DNA repair capacity. […] Thus, the accumulation of DNA damage caused by chemotherapy can accelerate neuronal dysfunction and death.

• #50 Fat Molecule in Brain Linked to Chemo Brain – NCI

  https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2022/chemo-brain-prevention-s1p

  This new study shows the damage cisplatin does and how the S1PR1-targeted drugs can potentially reduce that damage. […] But it’s unclear how well cognitive function assessments in mice mirror the cognitive decline in people that results from the cisplatin chemotherapy. […] Finding ways to treat or prevent cognitive impairment after cancer treatment is a complex problem because many more factors are at play than just chemotherapy treatment.

• #51 What is Chemo Brain in Multiple Myeloma? – HealthTree for Multiple Myeloma

  https://healthtree.org/myeloma/community/articles/chemo-brain-in-myeloma

  Chemo brain, also known as chemo fog or cancer-related cognitive impairment, is a term used to describe a range of cognitive changes that some cancer patients experience during or after cancer treatment, particularly chemotherapy. […] The exact cause of chemo brain is not fully understood, but it is believed to result from a combination of factors, including the direct effects of chemotherapy drugs on the brain, as well as factors like inflammation, hormonal changes, and stress associated with cancer and its treatment. […] It’s important to note that not all cancer patients experience chemo brain, and the severity and duration of these cognitive changes can vary widely from person to person. […] Additionally, chemo brain may improve or resolve over time in some cases, while others may experience long-lasting cognitive difficulties.

• #52 Does Chemo Brain Ever Go Away?

  https://www.healthline.com/health/does-chemo-ever-brain-go-away

  Chemo brain, also known as cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), is a term used to describe cognitive changes and difficulties in thinking, memory, and concentration that some cancer patients may experience during and after chemotherapy treatment. […] Evidence indicates that chemotherapy can lead to structural changes in the brain, trigger neuroinflammation, and reduce the generation of new brain cells in the hippocampus. These changes may contribute to the cognitive dysfunction seen in chemo brain. […] Overall, CRCI can be linked to: cancer itself, chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, immunotherapy.

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