Researchers at The City College of New York have linked chemotherapy therapy to lasting cognitive adjustments in rats—doubtlessly shedding mild, for the primary time, on cognitive issues some cancer survivors expertise lengthy after therapy ends.
Titled “Chemotherapy therapy alters DNA methylation patterns within the prefrontal cortex of feminine rat mind,” the research seems within the journal Scientific Reports.
“Our study explored how chemotherapy impacts the mind on the molecular stage utilizing an animal model,” mentioned Karen Hubbard, professor of biology in CCNY’s Division of Science, who co-led the research.
“We discovered that chemotherapy would not simply goal cancer cells—it additionally disrupts how genes are regulated within the mind, particularly within the prefrontal cortex, the world accountable for decision-making and government operate.”
For the primary time, the crew confirmed {that a} generally used chemotherapy combination—doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide—considerably will increase the expression of DNMT3a, a gene concerned in including methylation marks to DNA.
This change was linked to altered DNA methylation patterns in key mind areas, which can aid clarify why many cancer sufferers expertise long-term cognitive points after therapy, also known as “chemo mind.”
The study, Hubbard added, presents a biological rationalization for these cognitive issues that many cancer survivors, particularly breast cancer sufferers, report lengthy after therapy ends.
This could aid to determine sufferers who’re most susceptible to cognitive unintended effects, and information the event of focused epigenetic therapies, akin to DNMT or HDAC inhibitors, to stop and even reverse chemotherapy-induced cognitive decline.
The analysis continues at CCNY with a give attention to investigating the function of RNA-binding proteins, that are identified to be concerned in mind ageing, in each the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of the crew’s chemotherapy-treated animal model.
“This work goals to additional uncover how chemotherapy disrupts molecular pathways linked to cognitive decline.”
More data:
Shami Chakrabarti et al, Chemotherapy therapy alters DNA methylation patterns within the prefrontal cortex of feminine rat mind, Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-07419-2
Citation:
Potential chemo-induced cognitive adjustments found in cancer survivors ( 1)
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