MRI in High-Grade Glioma Patients Undergoing Chemoradiation

Summary

The purpose of this research study is to see if investigators can predict how brain functioning changes after radiation treatment based on PET scans and blood tests. Most participants experience at least mild decreases in their memory or attention after radiation therapy. Investigators hope that PET scans, optional lumbar puncture, and blood tests might help investigators predict who might have larger changes in their brain function after radiation.

Interventions

• PET-MRI Brain Scan · PROCEDURE

  Before starting radiation, participants will have a PET scan and MRI scan of the brain. After 2 to 3 weeks of radiation treatments, participants will have a repeat PET scan. Then, at 1 month and 3 to 4 months after radiation, participants will have another MRI scan.

• Blood draw · DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

  Blood draws will be taken at baseline, one month after radiation treatment, and 3 to 4 months after radiation treatment.

• Memory testing · BEHAVIORAL

  3 sessions with simple tests to evaluate how the brain is working. These tests primarily check things like memory, attention, and thought process. The whole set of tests will take 1 hour each time at baseline, one month after radiation, and 3 to 4 months after radiation.

• Optional lumbar puncture for cerebrospinal fluid collection · PROCEDURE

  Participants that consent for cerebrospinal fluid collection will have between 6 to 20 ml of cerebrospinal collected at baseline.

Published eligibility criteria

Verbatim from the registry. Only the site can decide how these apply to a specific patient.

Inclusion Criteria:

* Pathologically confirmed diagnosis of high-grade glioma (grade III or IV) or WHO grade II glioma, IDH wildtype (molecular glioblastoma multiforme \[GBM\]).
* ≥18 years of age.
* ECOG performance status of 0 to 3
* Anticipated to receive 6 weeks of chemoradiation

Exclusion Criteria:

* Does not speak or read English
* Unable to participate in cognitive testing due to aphasia or other severe cognitive impairment as determined by the PI, or Dr. Cummings or her designee.
* Unable to give informed consent
* Past medical history of any kind of dementia or diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment prior to diagnosis with their brain tumor
* Unable to safely fast for 8 hours prior to bloodwork or 6 hours prior to PET scan
* Currently taking cognition-enhancing medications including:

  * Donepezil
  * Memantine
  * Armodafinil
  * Methylphenidate
* Pregnant or nursing mothers.
* Patients taking blood thinners will be excluded from the optional Lumbar Puncture only, they are eligible for participation in the main study-provided they meet inclusion/exclusion criteria

Sites (1)

• Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina · Recruiting