Article summary:

Statistics show that chemotherapy for cancer treatment saves lives. Evidence has been mounting over several years that shows patients may pay a high price: their neurons and other cells in the brain. Research led by Harvard University neurologist Michelle Monje found that both chemotherapy and radiation damage the repository of stem cells in a brain structure called the hippocampus." "  The seahorse-shaped structure is the site where stem cells are generated and the new memories begin to be formed. Chemotherapies and radiation, by attacking cells' DNA, can all but stop the development of stem cells.

Radiation appears to damage protective microglial cells in the central nervous system. Earlier studies by Monje and Stanford University colleague Theo Palmer indicate that anit-inflammatory drugs my protect the CNS from this type of damage.

The good news is neurogenesis (the brain creates new neurons) through exercise."  Vigorous movement can re-stimulate the growth of stem cells, which can evolve into new neurons. "  In turn, these neurons can "link" together to form new pathways, replacing the ones damaged by chemotherapy."  I have personally tried this approach.

Published Feb/Mar 2008, Scientific American MIND, p. 14.

Comment by Dr. Hardwicke: The loss of neurons and the halted development of new stem cells, which evolve into new neurons, can account for the "mental fog" reported by chemotherapy patients." "  When groups of neurons fire simultaneously, they create what is called an action potential-- an electrical charge whose amplitude and frequency can be measured on electroencephalograph (EEG) equipment."  When neurons are damaged, these action potentials are affected.

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