Using memantine and exercise to help with memory problems after breast cancer treatment
Official title: Memantine and Exercise for Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Decline in Patients with Breast Cancer
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10865172 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how taking memantine along with an exercise program can help breast cancer patients who are experiencing memory and thinking problems due to chemotherapy, and it aims to find out if this combination really makes a difference.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $181,626 |
| NIH project number | 1K23AG086604-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10865172 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are breast cancer patients experiencing cognitive decline related to their chemotherapy treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing chemotherapy or those with pre-existing severe cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of memantine, a medication, combined with an exercise program on cognitive decline related to chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. The study will involve a randomized controlled trial with three groups: one receiving both memantine and exercise, another receiving memantine alone, and a third receiving a placebo. The goal is to assess how well this combination can improve cognitive function and address biomarkers associated with cognitive decline. Participants will also provide feedback on the feasibility and acceptability of the treatment during their chemotherapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new approach to prevent or treat cognitive decline in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results using exercise and cognitive interventions in cancer patients, but this specific combination of memantine and exercise is novel.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nakamura, Zev — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Nakamura, Zev
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving Memory and Thinking After Breast Cancer Chemotherapy
This project is testing if a medication called memantine, either alone or combined with an exercise program, can help breast cancer patients who experience memory and thinking problems after chemotherapy.
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A 3D ultrasound scanner to see early chemotherapy response in breast cancer
A new 3D ultrasound imaging method will be tested to see if it can quickly show whether breast cancer is responding to chemotherapy.
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3D ultrasound method to see early breast cancer response to chemotherapy
A new 3D ultrasound imaging method is being tested to quickly tell if breast cancer is responding to chemotherapy, using a FDA-cleared scanner at an affordable cost.
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Magnetic resonance fingerprinting to gauge chemotherapy response in breast cancer
A patient-facing look at using a special MRI method (MRF) to see early whether breast cancer is responding to preliminary chemotherapy.
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3D ultrasound to detect early breast tumor response to chemotherapy
A 3D quantitative ultrasound scanner will be used to detect early changes in breast tumors during chemotherapy for people with breast cancer.
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Understanding how chemotherapy affects breast cancer spread and liver immunity
A research project looks at how standard breast cancer chemotherapy may change the immune system and cancer spread, especially to the liver, in people with aggressive breast cancer.
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.