Clinical Research Directory

Use of Shear Wave Elastography for Intraoperative Brain and Tumor Stiffness Measurements

This study investigates the role of intraoperative shear wave elastography ultrasound (ISWEU) in identifying healthy brain and tumor tissue stiffness differences. This data may be used to guide tumor resection in future patients.

Tumor Related Epilepsy

Background: Some people with brain tumors have seizures related to the tumor. This is called tumor-related epilepsy. Usually brain tumors are treated by removing as much of the brain tumor as possible without causing problems. Researchers think this may improve the outcome for people with brain tumors. It may completely relieve or greatly reduce the number of seizures they have. Objectives: To evaluate people with brain tumors that are associated with seizures and to offer surgical treatment. Also, to study how surgery affects seizures. Eligibility: People age 8 and older who have a brain tumor with associated seizures. They must be willing to have brain surgery to treat their epilepsy. Design: Participants will be screened with a review of their medical records. Participants will have a medical history and physical exam. Participants will be admitted to the hospital at NIH. They will have Medical history Physical exam Neurological exam Tests of memory, attention, and thinking Questions about their symptoms and quality of life Blood drawn They may also have: MRI or CT scan. They will lie on a table that slides in and out of a machine that takes pictures. For part of the MRI, they will get a dye through an intravenous (IV) catheter. Video electroencephalography monitoring. Electrodes will be placed on the scalp. The participant s brain waves will be recorded while doing normal activities. Participants will be videotaped. Participants will keep a seizure diary before and after surgery. Participants will have surgery to remove their brain tumor and the brain area where their seizures start. They will stay in the hospital up to a week after surgery. Participants have for follow-up visits at NIH.

Navigated Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Improving Motor Rehabilitation in Participants With Brain Tumors

This trial studies how well navigated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation works in improving motor rehabilitation in participants with brain tumors. Navigated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation may help improve patients' lost motor function after surgery.

Non-invasive Intracranial Pressure Monitoring in Brain Tumor Patients

This research protocol focuses on the pre- and post-operative evaluation of ICP using non-invasive methods, particularly in the context of surgery for brain tumor removal. By utilizing ocular ultrasound to measure ONSD and ONSD/ETD ratios, this study hypothesizes that the utility of these parameters in monitoring ICP pre- and post-operative periods could be effective.

Computer Training Program for Younger Patients With a Brain Tumor Who Underwent Radiation Therapy

This randomized clinical trial studies how well an adaptive computerized cognitive training program works compared to a non-adaptive computerized cognitive training program in treating younger patients with brain tumor who underwent radiation therapy. Providing a computer training program may improve the well-being and quality of life of patients with cognitive (physical and mental) function difficulties caused by radiation therapy to the brain.

Electrocorticography in Mapping Functional Brain Areas During Surgery in Patients With Brain Tumors

This pilot clinical trial studies how well electrocorticography works in mapping functional brain areas during surgery in patients with brain tumors. Using a larger than the standard mapping grid currently used during brain tumor surgery or a high-definition grid for electrocorticogram brain mapping may help doctors to better identify which areas of the brain are active during specific limb movement and speech during surgery in patients with brain tumors.

Seizure Control as a New Metric in Assessing Efficacy of Tumor Treatment in Patients With Low Grade Glioma

This study investigates how seizures can vary over time with changes in low grade gliomas and its treatments. This study may help doctors find symptoms or triggers of seizures earlier than normal, and ultimately earlier care or treatment for seizures.

MRI and Blood Biomarkers for the Prediction of Neurocognitive Decline Following Brain Radiation

This study determines whether non-invasive evaluation using repeated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and repeated blood biomarker measurements can be used to predict changes in a person's mental functions that result from radiation exposure to the brain. This study may let researchers monitor patient responses to treatment and the disease better and possibly make changes to patient treatment, if needed.

Super Selective Intra-arterial Repeated Infusion of Cetuximab (Erbitux) With Reirradiation for Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory GBM, AA, and AOA

Primary brain tumors are typically treated by surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, either individually or in combination. Present therapies are inadequate, as evidenced by the low 5-year survival rate for brain cancer patients, with median survival at approximately 12 months. Glioma is the most common form of primary brain cancer, afflicting approximately 7,000 patients in the United States each year. These highly malignant cancers remain a significant unmet clinical need in oncology. GBM often has a high expression of EFGR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor), which is associated with poor prognosis. Several methods of inhibiting this receptor have been tested, including monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The investigators hypothesize that in patients with recurring GBM, intracranial superselective intra-arterial infusion of Cetuximab (CTX), at a dose of 250mg/m2 in conjunction with hypofractionated radiation, will be safe and efficacious and prevent tumor progression in patients with recurrent, residual GBM.

Super-selective Intra-arterial Repeated Infusion of Cetuximab for the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma

Primary brain cancer kills up to 10,000 Americans a year. These brain tumors are typically treated by surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, either individually or in combination. Present therapies are inadequate, as evidenced by the low 5-year survival rate for brain cancer patients, with median survival at approximately 12 months. Glioma is the most common form of primary brain cancer, afflicting approximately 7,000 patients in the United States each year. These highly malignant cancers remain a significant unmet clinical need in oncology. GBM often has a high expression EFGR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) which is blocked by Cetuximab (CTX). The investigators have recently completed a separate Phase I clinical trial using superselective intra-arterial cerebral infusion (SIACI) of CTX after blood brain barrier disruption (BBBD) for recurrent GBM (Chakraborty et al, in revision, Journal of Neurooncology). The investigators found that intra-arterial infusion of CTX is well tolerated with few adverse effects. The investigators hypothesize that in patients with newly diagnosed GBM, repeated SIACI of this drug after BBBD will be safe and efficacious for our patients when combined with standard chemoradiation (STUPP protocol). This trial will be a non-randomized open label Phase I/II clinical trial. In addition to standard chemotherapy and radiation therapy (STUPP protocol) the patient will be given CTX intra-arterially after BBBD for a total of three doses at approximately post surgery days 30, 120 and 210.

Cryoablation of Brain Neoplasm

This study will investigate the use of safety and feasibility of cryoablation in brain tumors