Characterising Cerebrovascular Function in Brain Tumour using fMRI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A brain imaging study to map brain microvascular and metabolic function of brain tumor
IRAS ID
305892
Contact name
Michael Germuska
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
Primary brain tumours are often aggressive and are associated with poor survival rates. They present a complex molecular biology and pathophysiology leading to disruption of brain vascular organization, blood flow and local energy metabolism. Therefore, vascular, haemodynamic and oxygenation parameters may be grossly abnormal in brain tumour population.\n\nThe present project aims to develop advanced MRI technology to improve our ability to measure the physiological state of brain tumour tissue and thus, in the long term, contribute to the development of clinical imaging tools for planning and evaluating treatment pathways.\n\nThis study will be using calibrated fMRI to map the amount of oxygen that the brain is consuming (known as CMRO2), with a spatial resolution of a few millimetres. CMRO2 reflects neural activity and it can be altered with disease such as tumour where cell proliferation can lead to changes in energy metabolism. Also knowing the functional properties of brain blood vessels and the oxygen status of brain tissue at different brain tumour stages is important for understanding whether blood supply is sufficient, or the vasculature is abnormal as it is often seen in tumours where vessels proliferate. \nWe aim to sample a broad range of tumour tissue types by recruiting patients in different phases of the treatment (initial presentation, recurrence, pre-/post-surgery, on treatment) to investigate the feasibility of applying these methods in this population; with the purpose of characterizing brain tumour tissue physiology at different stages of the disease, as well as during its evolution. Mapping the heterogeneity of tumour tissue can reveal the type of tumour, where it is actively growing, where it is and is not responding to treatment and where radiotherapy may be damaging healthy tissue. Thus, an improved understanding of the metabolism sustaining brain tumours may help with early prognosis, diagnosis and precise selection of therapeutic approaches. \n
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SC/0148
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jun 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion