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| Excess Calcium Build-Up Linked to Chemo Brain Fog in Cancer Patients, Study Reveals |
A groundbreaking study suggests that chemo brain fog, a common issue faced by approximately 75,000 cancer patients during treatment, may be linked to an excess of calcium accumulation in the brain. Researchers in the United States have made significant strides in understanding and potentially treating this cognitive impairment.
Calcium, a vital mineral for bone health commonly found in dairy products, also plays a crucial role as a messenger in cells throughout the body. However, an excessive build-up of calcium is known to occur in patients with conditions such as heart failure and atrial fibrillation, a disorder causing erratic heartbeats.
Scientists from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified that chemotherapy can trigger 'calcium leaks' in the brain. This discovery is supported by experiments on mice, which experienced memory problems, impaired maze navigation, and obstacle challenges. Additionally, researchers found that a drug in development was effective in reducing calcium leaks and alleviating cognitive symptoms in the mice.
Dr. Andrew Marks, a professor specializing in physiology and cellular biophysics, who co-authored the study, emphasized the importance of addressing "brain fog" as reported by cancer patients during their daily lives. He noted that this issue represents a significant unmet clinical need.
Furthermore, the study reinforces the notion that calcium leaks play a critical role in cognitive deficits, not only in cancer patients but also in individuals with conditions like Alzheimer's, long Covid, and PTSD.
Cancer Research UK estimates that out of nearly 400,000 Britons diagnosed with cancer each year, 28 percent undergo chemotherapy as part of their treatment. Approximately three-quarters of these patients report memory and thinking problems, although these issues often resolve within six to nine months after completing the treatment. Common side effects of chemotherapy also include nausea, fatigue, and hair loss.
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