Brain Fog
Brain fog or chemo brain are terms often used to describe the reduced cognitive function in those undergoing cancer treatment.
It's a condition that has been long reported by cancer patients but so far has been poorly understood.
New research has found it is likely caused by reduced blood flow to the brain.
In a study from the University of Southern Queensland, scientists compared the brains of 15 breast cancer survivors with those of 15 cancer-free women of the same age and body mass index.
They found the overall cognitive function of women who had breast cancer was 13 per cent lower.
Researcher Edward Bliss said the study was the first of its kind in the world.
"No-one's actually looked at brain blood vessel function … we've gone through and actually explored why brain blood vessel function can be reduced or if it was reduced in breast cancer patients," Dr Bliss said.
It is not known why cancer patients suffer a reduction in cognition, but Dr Bliss said it could be from treatment or the cancer itself.
The Age
