Plain-English translation of NCT02290834 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.
This study is investigating whether chemotherapy used to treat breast cancer affects memory and thinking abilities in older adults — a condition sometimes called "chemo-brain." Researchers will compare thinking tests and brain scans taken before and after chemotherapy treatment to understand who is most at risk for these cognitive side effects and how the treatment changes the brain.
Many patients report memory problems and difficulty concentrating after chemotherapy, but doctors don't yet have reliable ways to predict who will experience these side effects or fully understand how the medication causes them. This research aims to identify early warning signs and better understand the brain changes caused by this medication.
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If you join this study, you will complete memory and thinking tests and have brain imaging scans (MRI and possibly PET scans) before starting chemotherapy and again after your treatment is finished. The study also includes comparison groups of women with breast cancer who are not receiving chemotherapy and healthy women without cancer, so researchers can see how the treatment specifically affects the brain. The entire study spans several months and involves multiple visits to the hospital.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Aug 5, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States
Sponsor
Massachusetts General Hospital
Enrollment target
~200 participants
Started
March 2015
Primary completion
January 2028
Age range
60 Years and older
Sex
Female only
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in July 2026.
Reach out to the team running this trial. Response times vary — some teams are faster than others.
Central contact
Michael W Parsons, PhD
Massachusetts General Hospital
Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.