Experts Discuss Effects of Cancer on Memory and Thinking at Free Symposium

CINCINNATI—The University of Cincinnati (UC) Cancer Institute and UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute are holding a free seminar Saturday, Sept. 24, to educate patients and the community on the effect of cancer and cancer therapy on memory loss and critical thinking.

The event, which will take place from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Kingsgate Marriott Conference Center, 151 Goodman Drive, will involve presentations from and interactive discussions with oncology and neuroscience experts.

"There is a ‘fog’ in the understanding of chemo brain and its prevention or treatment; however, lessons learned from dementia research and other neurodegenerative diseases indicate that risk factors can be identified and moderated, and brain regeneration can be stimulated and restored,” says Rhonna Shatz, DO, associate professor in the Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine and director of the Memory Disorders Center, who will be speaking at the event. "We hope to share some of these insights during this event and better educate those in our community on this important topic.”

Experts will speak about how cancer and its treatments affect sleep, mood disorders, like depression, and nutrition, among other quality of life factors, including how cognition may be affected in pediatric cancer survivors.

"This conference represents a great collaborative effort between the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and the UC Cancer Institute, and we hope to educate patients whose memory could be affected by cancer or cancer treatment,” says William Barrett, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the UC College of Medicine and director of the UC Cancer Institute.

Free continental breakfast will be provided for attendees; for more information, contact Kelly Hummel at kelly.hummel@uc.edu or 513-558-2030.

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