Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Observational Ages 18 and up

Understanding cognitive impairment caused by chemotherapy in breast cancer patients

Official title: Inflammatory and Neural Correlates of Chemotherapy-Induced Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Study

Run by University of Aberdeen · NCT05740787 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study looks at how chemotherapy affects memory and focus in breast cancer patients by checking for changes in their brains during and after treatment.

More Breast Cancer trials

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment50 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Aberdeen
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Aberdeen)
StatusRecruiting
StartedDecember 15, 2022
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2026
Study endsDecember 31, 2026
Registry record updatedMay 8, 2026
Trial IDNCT05740787 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates for this study are adults over 18 years old diagnosed with HER2 negative breast cancer who are receiving specific chemotherapy regimens.

Probably not a fit

Patients with pre-existing mental conditions or those unable to undergo brain scans due to physical limitations may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to investigate the cognitive side effects, commonly referred to as 'chemobrain,' experienced by breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. It focuses on understanding how chemotherapy may lead to inflammation in the brain, affecting memory and concentration. The study will utilize brain scans sensitive to excess iron to explore these changes, as direct measurement of the chemicals involved is not feasible. By gathering insights from patients during and after their treatment, the research seeks to fill critical gaps in knowledge regarding long-term cognitive effects of chemotherapy.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to better understanding and management of cognitive impairments in breast cancer survivors.

How similar studies have gone: While cognitive impairment from chemotherapy has been noted in other studies, this specific approach using brain scans to investigate the underlying mechanisms is relatively novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Women and men \>18 years
* Diagnosed with HER2 negative breast cancer
* Receiving EC-Taxane or Taxane only based chemotherapy
* Able to communicate in English
* Willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any patient whose physical condition will preclude them from lying still for the duration of the brain scan.
* pre-excisting mental condition/disability
* Contraindication to magnetic resonance scanning such as an implantable cardiac device.

Where it's running

  • NHS Grampian
    Aberdeen, United Kingdom
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.