Neurocognitive impairment is being
increasingly recognized as an important issue in patients with cancer who
develop cognitive difficulties either as part of direct or indirect involvement
of the nervous system or as a consequence of either chemotherapy-related or
radiotherapy-related complications. Brain radiotherapy in particular can lead
to significant cognitive defects. Neurocognitive decline adversely affects
quality of life, meaningful employment, and even simple daily activities.
Neuroprotection may be a viable and realistic goal in preventing neurocognitive
sequelae in these patients, especially in the setting of cranial irradiation.
Lithium is an agent that has been in use for psychiatric disorders for decades,
but recently there has been emerging evidence that it can have a
neuroprotective effect. This review discusses neurocognitive impairment in
patients with cancer and the potential for investigating the use of lithium as
a neuroprotectant in such patients.
Source: Using
lithium as a neuroprotective agent in patients with cancer. Khasraw M (m.khasraw@deakin.edu.au), Ashley D,
Wheeler G, Berk M. BMC Med. 2012 Nov 2;10(1):131.
Free paper available at:
Chemotherapy one of the standardized regimen for cancer patients. Its function is to target and impair the cancer cells, however during the therapy healthy cells are also being compromised.rate for neurocognitive impairment is now increasing as part of the complication. By using an alternative treatment pancreatic cancer, maybe harsh side effects like these will be lessen.
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