NeuroRepair for Chemo Brain

Talking with a dear friend about the great strides she is making on chemotherapy, we’re both celebrating the shrinkage of her tumors. But she’s left with a nervous system that is failing her, as the poisonous chemotherapy damages her healthy cells, too. It made me realize that patients on chemo could really benefit from a formalized Brain Building program to keep them on track. Take a look and see if this sounds like you or someone you know being treated for cancer. Then please weigh in and let me know if you’d be interested in information about how to combat this common but largely ignored problem.

5 Facts about Chemo Brain

• Brain function suffers in up to 70% of people receiving chemotherapy for cancer.
• The neurological term for Chemo Brain is “encephalopathy.”
• We normally make new brain cells (“neurons”) every day. This is probably halted by chemo.
• Immune reactions to chemo may contribute to symptoms.
• Nutritional deficiencies and infections can rapidly make symptoms worse.

Common symptoms of Chemo Brain

• Memory loss
• Personality changes
• Loss of control of emotions (“Pseudobulbar affect”)
• Mood changes (depression, anxiety, anger)
• Difficult getting things done (“Executive deficit”)
• Attention deficit
• Disorganization
• Fatigue
• Imbalance
• Loss of specific functions, like math or second languages
• The loss of understanding of how to do things (“apraxia”)
• Acting against our own best self-interest (“akrasia”).
• Abnormalities of the sleep cycle

These changes can have a major impact on your relationship with family and loved ones. The best time to talk about it is before even starting therapy, but the most important thing to do is talk about it, period. And then act.

5 Strategies to deal with Chemo Brain

• Designate a healthcare surrogate to help you make your way through challenging times.
• Start a Brain Building program
• Engage in routine surveillance of your cognitive status
• Record your symptoms in a diary or journal
• Inform your oncologist about your symptoms
• Meet with a Neurologist and/or Neuropsychologist to help you manage your process

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