The Mystery of Chemotherapy Brain: Kynurenines, Tubulin and Biophoton Release
Peter P Sordillo1, Laura A Sordillo2
1Department of Hematology-Oncology, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, NY, U.S.A. peldv1@gmail.com.
Abstract:
The majority of patients receiving chemotherapy experience post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment, sometimes referred to as "chemo brain" or "chemo fog." The cognitive impairment associated with this syndrome can be severe, and can sometimes last for many years after therapy discontinuation. Despite extensive investigations, its etiology is unknown. We argue that chemo brain results from damage to tubulin within microtubules. This damage can occur directly from tubulin inhibitors such as taxanes, epothilones or vinca alkaloids. Other chemotherapies stimulate increased mitochondrial activity and biophoton release. This results in abnormal tryptophan metabolism and excess production of neurotoxic kynurenines, which, in turn, damage microtubules.
More Related Videos
07:04A High-performance Liquid Chromatography Measurement of Kynurenine and Kynurenic Acid: Relating Biochemistry to Cognition and Sleep in Rats
Published on: August 19, 2018
04:48Chemotherapy-induced Vascular Toxicity - Real-time In vivo Imaging of Vessel Impairment
Published on: January 7, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules
Cancer Therapies
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...
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis
