A common cholesterol drug could prevent a debilitating side effect in cancer patients, a study has found.
More than 75 per cent of patients experience cognitive changes – known as ‘chemo brain’ – during treatment, with around 35 per cent reporting lingering symptoms years later.
These can involve mental fog and reduced ability to think, as well as difficulties with memory, problem-solving and self-control.
It is not known what causes chemo brain and treatment options are limited to lifestyle changes, such as exercise, improved sleep, a healthy diet and stress management.
But now American researchers believe they may have a solution.
Cholesterol-lowering medication statins appear to protect brain function in breast and lymphoma cancer patients for up to two years after their treatment.
Scientists split in half a test group of more than 200 cancer patients and monitored them during their treatment and for the 24 months following.
The half taking statins performed an average of ten seconds better on an executive function test than those given placebo pills.
Cholesterol-lowering medication statins appear to protect brain function in breast and lymphoma cancer patients for up to two years after their treatment.
The medication appeared to protect patients’ executive function – the high-level mental skills used to plan, organise, solve problems and manage emotions.
Lead researcher Dr Pamela Jill Grizzard, from the VCU Health Pauley Heart Center at Richmond in Virginia, said: ‘Cancer treatment can be debilitating, and cognitive decline arising from chemotherapy treatment can sometimes last long after treatment concludes.
‘Our results suggest patients who participated in our statin group may have shown some unexpected cognitive benefit while undergoing chemotherapy and after treatment.
‘If future studies confirm a beneficial effect, statins could become a valuable tool in helping cancer survivors maintain cognitive function and quality of life.
‘Protecting the mind is just as important as protecting the heart during cancer treatment.’
Eight million people in the UK take statins to lower cholesterol.
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