Anyone suspect they may be experiencing "Chemo Brain" as result of cancer treatments?

I thought this article may help some as it relates to "chemo brain"

Cognitive Changes Associated with Chemotherapy

Tim Ahles, PhD, is a behavioral psychologist with a special interest in the cognitive effects of cancer treatments. His work focuses on cognitive-behavioral interventions designed to improve symptom management (e.g., cognitive problems, pain, and sleep disorders) and to reduce stress associated with cancer and cancer treatments.

http://mskcc.org/mskcc/shared/graphics/Living_Beyond_Cancer/Bridges/Spring_2009.pdf


What is “chemobrain”?

Chemobrain is a term coined by cancer survivors to refer to changes in cognition (the process of thought) following treatment with chemotherapy. The most common cognitive problems reported are in the areas of attention and concentration, short-term memory (the ability to remember or learn new information), and the ability to multitask. Many people report that chemobrain comes and goes (there are good days and bad days) or that they are fine if they have only one task, but begin having problems if there are multiple tasks, distractions, or time pressures/deadlines. The cognitive changes are typically subtle in that friends and family are often unaware of the changes. However, these cognitive changes can be very important to the individual experiencing them because changes in cognitive functioning can influence their ability to accomplish day-to-day and work-related activities. In part, the impact of chemobrain depends on one’s life demands. If a person is working, has young children at home, and is responsible for organizing a household, then any change in the ability to multitask may be very problematic. On the other hand, if the person is retired and has a more relaxed, flexible schedule, then the impact of chemobrain may be less dramatic.

Does everyone experience chemobrain, and how long does it last?

During chemotherapy, almost everyone experiences changes in cognitive abilities because of the acute effects of chemotherapy. However, the majority of people report gradual improvement in most chemotherapy-related side effects, including cognitive abilities, over six to 18 months post-chemotherapy. However, 20 to 25 percent of survivors report that they only recover to 70 to 80 percent of their pretreatment level. For this group of survivors, the change in cognitive functioning seems to be permanent. However, the one bit of good news is that these changes seem to remain at the same level and do not get worse over time.

Is chemotherapy the only cancer treatment that influences cognitive functioning?

No, there are several types of cancer treatments that can cause changes in cognitive functioning. For people with brain tumors, surgery and radiation to the brain can cause severe cognitive challenges. Additionally, we know that sex hormones (estrogen for women and testosterone for men) are important in maintaining normal memory functioning; therefore, treatments that influence these hormone levels can influence cognitive abilities. Examples include tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors used in the treatment of breast cancer and androgen ablation used in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Are there any treatments for chemobrain available?

Unfortunately, we do not have specific treatments yet; however, researchers are studying two approaches: medications and cognitive rehabilitation. A variety of medications that activate the brain and reduce fatigue (a common coexisting problem) are being studied. Ritalin is an example of this type of medication. Cognitive rehabilitation means teaching people strategies that help to make up for their cognitive problems, such as memory aids (calendars, lists, Palm Pilots), organizational skills (placing the
car keys in a basket near the door), and time- and stress-management skills.