Steps to protect memory during whole brain radiation are often skipped
Original title: Self-reported practice patterns for cognitive preservation during whole-brain radiotherapy: a multinational cross-sectional survey of radiation oncologists in the Middle East and North Africa.
How far along is this research?
- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
This was tested in people. That is the most reliable kind of research we share.
Both of these options are already recommended care a doctor can offer today, though not every center uses them.
The short version
In a survey, many radiation doctors said they do not routinely use the two steps that help protect memory during whole-brain radiation: Radiation given to the whole brain, rather than aimed at one spot. It is used when there are too many tumors to aim at one at a time. See the glossary.
What was studied. Researchers surveyed radiation doctors in the Middle East and North Africa about protecting memory during whole-brain radiation: Radiation given to the whole brain, rather than aimed at one spot. It is used when there are too many tumors to aim at one at a time. See the glossary. In all, 124 doctors from 45 centres in 15 countries answered.
What they found. 60 doctors (48.4%) said they often offer radiation that spares the memory area of the brain. Only 34 (27.4%) said they often offer memantine: A medicine given with whole-brain radiation to help protect thinking and memory. See the glossary, a drug used to help protect memory. And 70 (56.5%) said their patients never get both.
What this means, and what it doesn't
What it could mean: If whole-brain radiation: Radiation given to the whole brain, rather than aimed at one spot. It is used when there are too many tumors to aim at one at a time. See the glossary is part of your plan, you can ask about these two options. Ask if the radiation can spare the memory area of your brain. Ask if memantine: A medicine given with whole-brain radiation to help protect thinking and memory. See the glossary is right for you. Most doctors in this survey, 90 (72.6%), used no memory test, so you can ask about testing too.
What it doesn't mean: This does not mean your own doctor skips these steps. Only doctors who chose to answer took part. So it does not show how common this gap really is across the region. This is a survey of doctor habits, not a new treatment and not a cure. It also does not prove these steps would change how you think or feel.
Source: PubMed, October 13, 2026 · Read the original
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