Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
10:10
Quantifying Cognitive Decrements Caused by Cranial Radiotherapy
Published on: October 18, 2011
Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment.
1School of Nursing, University of Kansas Medical Center, Edwardsville, Kansas, USA. jamyers@swbell.net
Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing
|August 4, 2009
Summary
Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), or "chemobrain," affects 17%-75% of patients. Recognizing and managing CRCI through neuropsychologists and available resources is crucial for patient well-being.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Oncology
- Psychology
Background:
- Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), also known as "chemobrain," has been recognized since the 1970s, with growing patient concern since the late 1990s.
- Prevalence estimates for CRCI range widely from 17% to 75%.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of CRCI, including its potential contributing factors and diagnostic challenges.
- To highlight the importance of multidisciplinary care and available resources for patients experiencing CRCI.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of CRCI, encompassing patient-reported concerns, associated factors, diagnostic controversies, and emerging neuroimaging findings.
- Discussion of the roles of neuropsychologists and oncology nurses in patient management.
Main Results:
- Numerous factors are associated with CRCI, including patient demographics, psychological status, disease characteristics, treatment details, and genetic predispositions.
- There is ongoing debate regarding optimal neurocognitive assessment tools for CRCI.
- Neuroimaging studies are beginning to identify brain regions affected by CRCI.
Conclusions:
- A neuropsychologist is essential for assessing, diagnosing, and recommending management strategies for CRCI.
- Oncology nurses play a vital role in informing patients about resources like support groups and cognitive retraining programs.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists
Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function. They...
02:49Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:49Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
01:28Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptors are distributed across the GI tract, vagal afferents, and key CNS regions including the central vomiting center and chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) Chemotherapy agents stimulate enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to release large amounts of substance P (SP). SP is a neuropeptide released by specific sensory nerves in response to many different stressors, including those in the GI mucosa affected by chemotherapy. SP binds and activates these...
01:29Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists
Dopamine receptor antagonists, also known as antipsychotic agents, are critical in managing chemotherapy-induced vomiting. These antiemetic agents block dopamine receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), inhibiting signal transmission to the vomiting center. Antipsychotic agents encompass phenothiazines (PTZ), butyrophenones, benzamides, and thienobenzodiazepines (Zyprexa), which are utilized for their antiemetic and sedative properties.
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...
01:27Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists
5-HT3 receptor antagonists, such as dolasetron, granisetron (Kytril), ondansetron (Zofran), and palonosetron (Axoli), are crucial in managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and postoperative nausea. These drugs selectively block 5-HT3 receptors in the visceral vagal and spinal afferent nerves, chemoreceptor trigger zone, and the vomiting center. They have a rapid onset of action and can be given as a single dose before chemotherapy. Ondansetron and granisetron, in particular,...