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Tracy Hampton, PhD

JAMA. 2008;299(21):2494.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Advances in cancer chemotherapy have brought longer and more active lives for many patients but have left some with a mysterious and troubling burden. In some instances, the first sign may be subtle: a slow, almost imperceptible development of forgetfulness or loss of concentration. In other cases, patients experience a sudden onset of severe cognitive dysfunction many months after treatment has stopped.

Although some clinicians have been skeptical that such adverse effects—coined "chemobrain" by some—are associated with anticancer drugs, over the years others have been documenting the phenomenon. Now, researchers are beginning to understand how these effects arise and are hopeful that ongoing research will help to prevent them.

A recent study reveals a mechanism involved in the delayed cognitive dysfunction reported by some patients following chemotherapy. (Photo credit: Sam Ogden/www.sciencesource.com)

Clinical studies have found an association between various chemotherapeutic agents and delayed adverse neurological . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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