Improving Sensorimotor Function in CIPN: Does the CNS Matter?

Chemotherapy can cause damage to both the peripheral nerves and the brain resulting in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CIPN). "Cancer survivors with CIPN experience chronic pain, balance problems, and increased falls and fractures," says Dr. McNeish, sharing how most research has focused on how damage to the peripheral nerves causing these issues. He notes that emerging research suggests that components of the central nervous system (CNS) can modify sensation, particularly through changes in brain functions, like executive function, which helps with decision-making, attention, and coordination and the sensorimotor cortex which perceives sensation.

Dr. McNeish's study will explore how the brain contributes to the severity of CIPN and test whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique can improve symptoms like pain and proprioception by targeting the brain's sensorimotor cortex. By understanding how the brain and the peripheral nervous system interact in CIPN, his research could lead to new interventions to improve mobility, reduce pain, and enhance the quality of life for cancer survivors. "Ultimately, this work aims to transform how physicians approach rehabilitation for people living with CIPN, offering more effective solutions for both their physical and cognitive challenges," he says.