Chemotherapy May Disrupt Brain Connectivity in Breast Cancer Patients, Study Finds
A new study published in the Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging has identified significant changes in brain connectivity among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Researchers analyzed brain scans from 55 women with breast cancer and compared them with scans from 38 healthy individuals. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the team tracked neural changes over several months.
The results revealed notable alterations in brain connectivity in patients receiving chemotherapy, particularly in regions responsible for executive functioning and memory. The affected areas included the frontal-limbic system and the cerebellar cortex. Alarmingly, these changes not only became more pronounced but also spread as the chemotherapy progressed.
“The findings suggest that chemotherapy can rapidly interfere with brain function in breast cancer patients, possibly leading to cognitive difficulties,” the study authors noted.
This research adds to the growing evidence of “chemo brain,” a term often used by patients to describe memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, and other cognitive issues during and after treatment.
Experts believe these insights could help in developing interventions to support patients’ brain health during chemotherapy and improve their quality of life during recovery.
