Sometimes the effects of treatment extend beyond the body.
For many people who undergo a stem cell transplant or CAR T-cell therapy, recovery can involve changes in memory, focus, and mental clarity. These cognitive changes can be subtle at first, but they can affect daily life in meaningful ways during survivorship.
In this premiere episode of Thrive!, we take a closer look at how transplant and cellular therapies can affect the brain and cognitive function during recovery. Guided by psychiatrist and psycho-oncology specialist Dr. Zev Nakamura of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, this Deep Dive explores why cognitive changes can occur after treatment, how common they are, who may be most at risk, and what strategies may help support recovery over time.
You’ll hear how symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, slowed thinking, memory lapses, and mental fatigue can develop after treatment, why these changes can happen biologically and psychologically, and what approaches patients and care partners can take to support cognitive healing and adaptation.
In this week’s news update, we highlight several developments shaping survivorship and transplant care: a new mobile app designed to help cancer survivors manage symptoms of post-traumatic stress, emerging research suggesting patients may successfully undergo transplant more quickly using alternative donors, and new evidence showing improved outcomes when older donors are used with modern graft-versus-host disease prevention strategies. We also highlight a resource that may help: BMT InfoNet’s Caring Connections program, which connects patients, survivors, and care partners with trained volunteers who have firsthand experience navigating transplant and recovery.
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CHAPTER MARKERS
00:01 Welcome!
01:16 Updates – PTSD Support App
02:34 Updates – Faster Transplant with Alternative Donors
04:14 Updates – Older Donors and Modern GVHD Prevention
05:29 A Quick Note
06:21 Something That May Help – Caring Connections
07:38 Deep Dive – Cold Open
08:37 Deep Dive – The Mind After Treatment
10:17 Deep Dive – What Are Cognitive Changes?
12:38 Deep Dive – Why Do Cognitive Changes Occur?
14:03 Deep Dive – How Common Are These Problems?
15:39 Deep Dive – Who Is at Greater Risk?
17:17 Deep Dive – What Can Help?
20:34 Deep Dive – Takeaways
21:41 One Last Thought
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RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Deep Dive Presentation
Dr. Zev Nakamura – Managing Cognitive Challenges After Transplant and CAR T-Cell Therapy
https://bmtinfonet.org/video/cognitive-challenges-after-transplant-and-car-t-cell-therapy-and-treatment-options
Recommended Reading
Improving Cognitive Function After Cancer – Shelli Kesler, PhD
(Out of general print as of this episode’s publication, but often available through libraries or used-book sellers.)
News Articles Mentioned
ASCO Daily News – Mobile App Helps Survivors Manage PTSD Symptoms
https://dailynews.ascopubs.org/do/mobile-app-offers-promising-intervention-ptsd-symptom-relief-cancer-survivors-received
Targeted Oncology – Study Supports Faster Transplant with Alternative Donors
https://targetedonc.com/view/transplant-patients-may-have-same-success-with-alternative-and-fully-matched-donors
ASTCT – Improved Outcomes with Older Donors Using Modern GVHD Prevention
https://astct.org/Nucleus/Article/unrelated-donor-age-and-recipient-outcomes-after-posttransplant-cyclophosphamide-vs-conventional-prophylaxis
Something That May Help
BMT InfoNet – Caring Connections
https://bmtinfonet.org/caring-connections
Join the BMT InfoNet Facebook Community
https://www.facebook.com/bonemarrowstemcelltransplantclub
Email us
thrive@bmtinfonet.org
Links were active at the time of publication.
Stay Connected with BMT InfoNet
BMT InfoNet provides trusted information and compassionate support for anyone affected by stem cell transplant or CAR T-cell therapy.
Contact the Thrive! Team
Questions, feedback, or topic ideas: thrive@bmtinfonet.org
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Produced by La Strada Productions for BMT InfoNet
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