Brain fog, or chemo-fog, refers to cognitive changes experienced by some cancer patients and survivors. Symptoms can include issues with memory, attention, concentration, and spatial skills. While chemotherapy is commonly blamed, cancer itself and other treatments may also contribute. The causes are not fully understood but may involve psychological and biological factors. Currently there are no medications specifically for brain fog, but rehabilitation techniques can help by strengthening cognitive abilities and developing new neural pathways. Approaches include managing tasks, improving memory, and maintaining psychological well-being.

1. GoodBye Brain Fog:
Strategies to Help Get Your Thinking
Back on Track
Heather Palmer, PhD
National Director, Cognitive Well-Being, Amica Senior Lifestyles
Founder and Director of Cognitive Rehabilitation, Maximum Capacity
April 25, 2019
© 2019 Maximum Capacity Inc.
No part of these materials may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior written
permission from Maximum Capacity

2. Canadian Cancer Survivor Network
Contact Info
1750 Courtwood Crescent, Suite 210
Ottawa, ON K2C 2B5
Telephone / Téléphone : 613-898-1871
E-mail: jmanthorne@survivornet.ca or info@survivornet.ca
Website: www.survivornet.ca
Twitter: @survivornetca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CanadianSurvivorNet
Instagram: @survivornet_ca
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/survivornetwork/

4. Objectives
1. Acknowledge cancer related brain fog exists.
2. Identify the symptoms
3. Review possible causes
4. Identify solutions
5. Improve how you think, feel and function

5. What is Cancer Related Brain Fog?
Commonly referred to as ‘chemo-fog’ and ‘chemo brain’
But:
1) chemotherapy is not the only cause,
2) cancer is not the only cause of brain fog.
• It is a constellation of cognitive changes that come
about as a result of some aspect of the cancer
experience.

6. memory
attention and
concentration

7. memory
attention and
concentration

8. memory
spatial
skills
motor function and coordination
attention and
concentration

10. Causes of Brain Fog

11. Psychosocial Constructs

12. What Do We Know?

13. fMRI Twin Study
(Ferguson et al 2007)

14. What are the solutions?
BRAIN FOG
Understand it! Prevent it! Treat it!
Pharmacological
Cognitive
Rehabilitation

15. Neuroplasticity and the Brain

16. Neuroplasticity and Cognitive Rehabilitation
1. Repair existing pathways 2. Build new pathways
3. Be aware, plan, prepare

17. Task Management Psychological Well-Being
Memory
Optimal Cognition

18. MEMORY

19. Levels of Processing
0
20
40
60
80
%ofWords
Recognized
Letters Rhyme Sentence

20. How do we process information more
deeply?
External Strategies
Lists
Notes
Calendars
Timers
Routines and Habits
External Self Talk
Internal Strategies
Categorization
Story Making
Visual Imagery
Association
Motor Movement
Spaced Retrieval

21. Tool Box

22. TASK MANAGEMENT

23. Task Management
The goal of task management is to:
1. Reduce feelings of overwhelm
2. Improve management of small and large
daily tasks
3. Promote a ‘present-minded’ state as
opposed to an ‘absent-minded’ one.
4. Reduce susceptibility to distractions and
interference

24. STOP
CLARIFY
SIMPLIFY
MONITOR

25. PSYCHOLOGICAL
WELL-BEING

27. Self Fulfilling Prophecy
Loss of control
Incompetent feelings
Reduction in activities
Avoidance of challenges
Pessimism
Depression/anxiety
In control
Capable
Independent
Solutions Oriented
Optimistic
Mental Clarity

28. Cancer Related Brain Fog:
Summary
• The condition exists.
• The symptoms may vary from person to person.
• The most common domains affected are memory and executive
function skills.
• Chemotherapy is not likely the only cause.
• Currently there are no medications available that are designed to
treat it or prevent it.
• However, the brain does have the capacity to grow, recover and
develop new connections between brain regions to compensate for
areas of weakness or damage.
• Neurocognitive rehabilitation programs can help.

29. Thank You!
© 2019 Maximum Capacity Inc.
No part of these materials may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from Maximum Capacity Inc.

30. Canadian Cancer Survivor Network
Contact Info
1750 Courtwood Crescent, Suite 210
Ottawa, ON K2C 2B5
Telephone / Téléphone : 613-898-1871
E-mail: jmanthorne@survivornet.ca or info@survivornet.ca
Website: www.survivornet.ca
Twitter: @survivornetca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CanadianSurvivorNet
Instagram: @survivornet_ca
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/survivornetwork/