'Chemo-brain' may be connected to your gut

Study shows gut-brain connection – AI image generated by Microsoft Designer

CANCER DIGEST – July 7, 2024 – Chemo-brain may be related to intestinal disruptions of the microbiome caused by chemotherapy, according to the findings of a new study in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity.

The researchers at the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University led by Leah Pyter, associate professor of psychiatry and neuroscience, found that disruptions to the microbiome and inflammation in the gut were associated with cognitive decline and those with cognitive impairment have unique alterations to the bacterial makeup in their intestines.

Microbiome is the collection of microbes, bacteria, fungi, viruses that live symbiotically within the body, particularly within the digestive tract. These organisms contribute to the host’s health and wellness by protecting against harmful pathogens, strengthening the immune system and by helping with digestion. 

"For the first time ever, our Intelligut Study found that the gut microbiome has been implicated in cognitive side effects of chemotherapy in humans," Pyter said in a press release. "The potential connection between the gut and the brain would allow us to create treatments for the gut to treat the brain."

The clinical study followed 77 patients with breast cancer. They measured the gut microbiome and tracked inflammation by taking fecal and blood samples before, during and after chemotherapy. 

They found that patients treated with chemotherapy who showed decreases in cognitive performance also had reduced diversity of their gut microbiome. The results suggest a link between gut microbiome and cognitive performance.

"Side effects of chemotherapy are common and may reduce quality of life, but these side effects can be dismissed as 'part of chemotherapy' and therefore overlooked and under treated," Pyter said. "We believe that gut microbiome-focused interventions, such as fecal microbial transplantation, may improve behavioral side effects of chemotherapy."

Source: Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center press release.