Your treatment options
Chemo brain: assessment and rehabilitation
For difficulties with memory, concentration or mental speed during or after cancer treatment, our oncology and neurorehabilitation teams assess the causes and discuss a coordinated plan.
Understanding what has changed
“Chemo brain” describes cognitive difficulties associated with cancer and its treatment. These can include trouble concentrating, remembering information or finding words. Symptoms may also be influenced by sleep, fatigue, mood, medication and nutrition, so assessment comes before choosing a treatment. See the National Cancer Institute guide to memory and concentration problems.
Dr. Julian Douwes and Dr. Martin Rößner coordinate the oncology and neurorehabilitation programs. Bring your oncology history and a description of how the symptoms affect everyday activities.
A plan built around everyday function
Describe
Record the symptoms, their timing and the activities that have become harder.
Assess
Review your medical history, medication and cognitive function, alongside sleep, mood and fatigue.
Plan and review
Agree measurable goals and review whether the chosen support is helping.
Where neuromodulation fits
Neuromodulation can be discussed as an individual adjunct after clinical assessment and a method-specific safety review. It remains investigational specifically for cancer-related cognitive impairment. Research into stimulation for depression or other diagnoses does not establish the same benefit for chemo brain.
A registered study, NCT04966520, investigates theta-burst stimulation for cognitive deficits after cancer therapy. A research protocol is not a treatment recommendation or evidence that a particular hospital course will work.
The plan can also address cognitive rehabilitation strategies, sleep, fatigue and other treatable contributors, in coordination with your oncologist. Cancer medication is not changed simply to begin neuromodulation.
How your care is coordinated
The Douwes Brain Center is our outpatient neuromodulation department in Bad Aibling. The hospital and center coordinate the appropriate setting for assessment and any proposed sessions. An inpatient oncology stay does not automatically include a neuromodulation course.
Explore neurological and psychiatric care or see the full oncology treatment overview.
Outpatient option
Outpatient neurological assessment
Our outpatient neuromodulation department, the Douwes Brain Center, coordinates neurological assessment with your hospital and oncology team.
Send a free inquiry
The initial inquiry is free of charge. The International Office reviews your message and your case directly and gets back to you.
- Phone
- +49 8061 398-0
- Hours
- Mon–Thu 08:00–17:00, Fri 08:00–14:00 German time (CET/CEST); in the US Mon–Thu 2–11 a.m. ET, Fri 2–8 a.m. ET.
Munich Airport (MUC), about 60 minutes by car.