Definition of Chemo Brain:
Changes in memory, attention, concentration, and abilities to perform various mental tasks after receiving chemotherapy treatments for cancer.
Symptoms:
- Forgetting important things like dates, names, place, or appointments
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating, focusing or paying attention
- Trouble finding the right word for common objects
- Fatigue
- Short attention span
- Mental fogginess or disorientation
- Difficulties with judgment or reasoning
- Impaired math & organizational skills
- Problems performing multiple tasks
- Behavioral and emotional changes, such as irrational behavior, mood swings, inappropriate anger or crying
Risk Factors:
- Potency of chemo or radiation
- Whole brain radiation therapy
- Certain types of cancer (particularly brain cancer)
- Stress
- Sleep deprivation
- Menopause
- Medications
- Depression
- Low blood counts
- Emotional upheaval of cancer
Causes:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Hormone therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Anemia
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Treatment:
- Neurofeedback
- Nutritional supplementation – B vitamins,EPA/DHA omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, acetyl -carnitine, bacopa, ginkgo, co-enzyme Q-10, vitamin D, C and amino acid supplementation to balance neurotransmitters
- Nutritional analysis to correct electrolyte imbalances, vitamin deficiencies, anemia and sleep problems
- Metabolic detoxification to support the overloaded detoxification pathways
- GI (gut)Restoration Program
- Aerobic exercise program
- Stress reduction program
- Therapeutic massage
Studies:
“Efficacy of EEG Biofeedback in Addressing Cognitive Dysfunction in Cancer Survivors by Jean Alverez, Ed.D, David Granoff, Psy.D and Allan Lundy, Ph.D.
Diagnostic Imaging of ChemoBrain Phenomenon”, Rachel Lagos, Gary Marano, Jame Abraham, Marc Haut, and Sara Kurian; presented at 98th scientific assembly and annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago on 27 November, 2012
Stanford University study 2012-2014 on Neurofeedback and Breast Cancer Survivors
