Understanding Chemo Brain

2. Causes

Studies suggest chemo brain symptoms may develop before cancer treatment commences, and therapies may exacerbate the condition. Research published in Neuroscience found that tumor-fighting cytokines can cause inflammation in the brain and nervous system, affecting cognitive processing. A cancer diagnosis often leads to stress and depression, which can cloud the mind as well. Neuro-oncologists at the University of California, Irvine discovered chemotherapy kills brain stem cells that would have developed into neurons that create and store memories. These combined factors lead to shrinking in areas of the brain responsible for memory and learning. Anxiety, sleep problems, and oxidative stress can also contribute to the onset or progression of chemo brain in people with cancer. Clinical studies show that high anxiety and depression before cancer treatment correlates to low cognitive functioning.