This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

A new study led by researchers at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that a nutritional supplement containing oxaloacetate, a molecule naturally found in the body that helps cells produce energy, may help improve cognitive function and reduce the fatigue experienced by some breast cancer survivors following treatment.

The findings, published in JCO Oncology Advances, show that breast cancer survivors with significant cancer-related cognitive impairment, sometimes referred to as "chemo brain" or "brain fog," experienced improvements in memory, concentration and other cognitive symptoms after taking oxaloacetate for eight weeks.

Participants also reported less fatigue and better physical functioning, while cognitive testing showed improvements in processing speed and executive function, which includes skills such as planning, focusing and managing tasks.

"Cancer-related cognitive impairment can persist long after treatment ends and can have a significant impact on a person's daily life, yet we still have very few effective treatments for it," said Dr. Patricia Ganz, a distinguished professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and first author of the study.

An estimated 15% to 25% of breast cancer survivors may experience persistent cognitive difficulties following breast cancer and its treatment. While cancer-related cognitive impairment has historically been associated with chemotherapy, researchers now recognize that its causes are complex and may involve cancer itself, chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, inflammation, hormonal changes and other biological and behavioral factors.

Source link