A Comprehensive Clinical fMRI Software Solution to Enable Mapping of Critical Functional Networks and Cerebrovascular Reactivity in the Brain

Launched by M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER · Apr 18, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new software system that helps doctors better understand brain function before surgery for patients with brain tumors. The goal is to use advanced brain imaging techniques (fMRI) to map important areas in the brain, like those responsible for language and blood flow. By doing this, doctors hope to improve the planning of brain tumor surgeries and reduce the chances of missing crucial areas that need to be protected during the procedure.

To be eligible for this trial, participants must be at least 18 years old and scheduled for surgery to remove a brain tumor. They also need to have a standard brain scan using fMRI as part of their pre-surgery assessment. Participants can expect to undergo advanced scanning techniques and contribute to the development of this innovative software, which aims to enhance the safety and effectiveness of brain surgeries. It's important to note that individuals who cannot undergo MRI scans or provide informed consent are not eligible for the study.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion criteria:
• • 1. patient must be \>/= 18 years of age;
• • 2. patients who will undergo neurosurgical resection of brain tumors;
• • 3. patients who will undergo presurgical fMRI as standard of care;
• • 4. patients who on neurosurgical evaluation will undergo direct cortical stimulation (DCS) as standard of care.
• • For the retrospective study, we will review up to 1600 patients all clinical presurgical fMRI studies performed on brain tumor patients at the MD Anderson since 5/2004.
• The inclusion criteria:
• • 1. patients must be \>/= 18 years of age;
• • 2. patients who had the presurgical fMRI that contained at least one task-based fMRI scan.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• Exclusion criteria for the prospective study:
• • 1. patients cannot give informed consent;
• • 2. patients cannot undergo MRI examinations;
• • 3. patients who are indicated for speech fMRI only but cannot comply with any of the speech tasks based on the evaluation of a clinical neuropsychologist.
• Exclusion criteria for the retrospective study:
• • 1. all fMRI scans were contaminated by head motions (translation \> 2 mm or rotation \> 2 degrees);
• • 2. only speech fMRI paradigms were performed, and patients were not able to comply with any of the speech tasks based on the evaluation of a clinical neuropsychologist.