Year 5

Using mouse models and human pluripotent stem cells, we have identified a mechanism by which experience modulates white matter structure and function. These plastic, adaptive changes in white matter myelin go awry following chemotherapy exposure and this contributes to the neurological symptoms people suffer following chemotherapy, sometimes called “chemobrain”. We have identified a therapeutic compound that restores this signal and rescues both white matter and cognitive function after chemotherapy in mouse models, and plan to bring this new therapy to clinical trial for people suffering from long term cognitive impairment after chemotherapy.