Understanding Diet and Gut Health for Brain Fog During Breast Cancer Treatment
The Gut Microbial and Dietary Origins of Cancer Treatment-Related CognitiveImpairment
This project explores how diet and gut bacteria might influence memory and thinking challenges experienced by breast cancer survivors during chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11187162 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many breast cancer survivors experience "brain fog" or cognitive changes during and after chemotherapy, which can affect daily life. This project aims to discover if eating certain foods, like those in a Mediterranean diet, can help protect against these thinking and memory issues. Researchers will also look at how the bacteria in your gut might play a role in this connection. By understanding these links, we hope to find new ways to support brain health during cancer treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be breast cancer patients currently undergoing chemotherapy who are experiencing or are at risk for cognitive changes.
Not a fit: Patients who have completed chemotherapy and are not experiencing cognitive impairment may not directly benefit from this specific intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to dietary recommendations or new treatments to reduce "brain fog" for breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: While diet has shown promise in protecting against cognitive issues after treatment, this specific connection and the role of gut bacteria during chemotherapy are new areas of focus.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcleod, Andrew P — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Mcleod, Andrew P
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.