Some chemotherapy patients seem to experience central nervous system degeneration and transient “cognitive changes” during and just after treatment. What is Chemobrain? Some patients have transient concentration problems, memory loss, slowed thinking, or vision problems during and just after treatment, and this condition has since been given the name “chemobrain” or “chemotherapy fog”, but the more accurate term is “mild cognitive impairment”. What are the symptoms of chemo brain? Scientific studies have found that chemotherapy appears to induce central nervous system degeneration in some patients, but this may also be caused by treatment-related fatigue and anxiety. Some patients experience this condition as quickly as it comes and goes, but some patients develop longer-term changes. Often the changes are so subtle that others around the patient may not even notice the changes. Most patients with “cognitive changes” may be able to do normal things, but they may gradually develop the following symptoms: (1) Things that used to be easy are now more difficult and often take longer to complete (2) Memory loss, often forgetting things to do (3) Inability to concentrate on one thing (4) Inability to have a complete conversation (5) Frequent forgetting of small things that have already been done such as Some of the known causes include: (1) cancer itself (2) chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy (3) transplantation, side effects (4) low blood counts (5) steroids, antiemetics, painkillers (especially opioids) (6) anxiety, stress and depression caused by cancer and cancer-related treatments Can chemo brain be prevented and treated? Chemo brain is not really that serious and usually clears up after a while! If you are facing this situation, here are some tips: (1) Make a daily plan and “to-do” list and update it often, which should not be difficult in the age of smart phones; (2) Do one thing at a time, one task at a time; (3) Tell your family or friends about your current situation and ask for help. Also, your doctor should know. (4) Buy a pill box and make a list of the medications you need to take and look over them before you eat them. (5) Eat more vegetables, exercise regularly, and get enough rest and sleep (6) Keep your mind flexible by playing more charades, sudoku, puzzles, or learning a new language.