Overview

• An eNeuro study led by Ohio State University reports that paclitaxel altered clock-gene transcription in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of female mice.
• Treated mice showed irregular daily fluctuations in circadian genes within the brain’s master clock.
• Paclitaxel also impaired behavioral adaptation to light-based challenges, indicating disrupted circadian outputs.
• The work addresses a longstanding puzzle because many chemotherapies poorly cross the blood–brain barrier, pointing to possible indirect effects on the SCN.
• Researchers note that nearly half of patients report circadian disruption during chemotherapy and propose testing circadian-supportive strategies, while emphasizing that human confirmation remains needed.