Chemo Brain

KNOXVILLE, TN - Chemo Brain, also known as mush brain or fluff brain, affects millions of cancer patients per year. It causes memory loss, forgetfulness, misunderstanding directions, slow mental functioning, and mixing up numbers. The phenomenon is thought to be caused directly by the combination of chemotherapy drugs and impacts only the patient. However, a recent study by Peevler and Norris published in The New England Journal of Medicine (2016), indicates that the ailment may be spread to others. Research indicates that proximity and exposure times are key factors that govern the severity of symptoms. For example a person who interacts with the Chemo Brain Patient (CBP) daily will quickly see their ability to remember details and short term memory dwindle whereas a person who interacts with the CBP weekly might only experience minor forgetfulness.  Researchers did not evaluate the impact of digital interactions through text messages or social media.

Researchers caution against avoiding the CBP in their life but instead suggest developing their own mental fitness regime. A mental fitness regime is also helpful for the CBP.  Boosting mental fitness includes using notes as reminders. A simple "Do you have your keys" on the door or "Are you wearing pants?" on the closet can avoid disaster. Developing conversational habits that encourage both sides to recall a memory (i.e., do you remember how old you were when you gave up eating paste) or explain a process (i.e., what is you preferred method of boiling water) can help both parties. Cultivating the ability to listen to the same story five times without letting on that you know how it ends is a helpful skill that CBPs appreciate. Although not quantified by this study, researchers believe that a sense of humor helps both the CBP and those close to the CBP mitigate the stress associated with chemo brain until proper mental functioning returns.