Romana Jarosova, Ph.D.
Abstract
Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI), commonly referred to as chemobrain or chemofog, is an increasingly recognized adverse effect of cancer chemotherapy. Characterized by deficits in memory, attention, and executive function, chemobrain affects up to 75% of patients during treatment, with many survivors continuing to experience cognitive symptoms months or even years after therapy ends. As cancer survival rates continue to improve, these persistent neurological side effects are emerging as a major clinical concern that can significantly impact patients’ quality of life. Despite its prevalence, the mechanisms underlying CICI remain poorly understood, and effective preventative strategies are still lacking.
In this presentation, I will introduce our recent work establishing a zebrafish model of chemobrain and characterizing the resulting behavioral, neurochemical, and proteomic changes in the zebrafish brain. These findings, consistent with key hallmarks of chemobrain, support zebrafish as a promising platform for investigating the mechanisms underlying CICI and for evaluating potential prophylactic interventions. I will further discuss emerging protective strategies aimed at mitigating cognitive and motor impairments, together with the associated neurochemical and molecular changes observed in this model. Finally, I will present our ongoing efforts to develop new analytical tools for studying chemobrain and probing the neurochemical pathways involved in CICI. By integrating behavioral, neurochemical, and proteomic analyses, this work aims to identify lead compounds that may ultimately help prevent chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment.
When: March 13, 2026
Where: North Classroom 1535
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00pm