Understanding Chemo Brain

3. Gut-Brain Axis

A 2018 study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience hypothesizes that neurological and psychological problems following chemotherapy are largely due to dysregulation of the gut-brain axis. Multiple pathways connect the gut and brain bidirectionally in both health and disease. The study’s authors posit that chemotherapy-induced toxicity primarily impacts the digestive tract and the central nervous system. Social and psychological factors affect digestive function and perceptions and behaviors regarding illness and pain. In turn, visceral discomfort influences behavior, mood, and nerve pathways. The study particularly examines evidence linking microbiota imbalance, intestinal permeability, and nerve damage with chemotherapy-induced neuroimmunological changes.