Cognitive dysfunction in survivors of childhood medulloblastoma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Neuroanatomical correlates of cognitive dysfunction in short and long term survivors of childhood medulloblastoma
IRAS ID
216505
Contact name
Chris Clark
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UCL,Great Ormond Street ,Institute of Child Health
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 10 months, 28 days
Research summary
The overall survival rate of children with medulloblastoma, the most common brain tumour of childhood, has increased dramatically due to the availability of various treatment strategies. However, these improvements in survival are accompanied by serious brain impairments. For example, deficits in attention, memory, ability to switch between tasks, speed of processing and literacy are commonly seen in survivors.
To better understand how these impairments arise, imaging techniques have been used to investigate brain structure as a result of radiation and chemotherapy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows us to take pictures of the brain. Using a special technique called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) it is possible to measure the degree of damage to the brain structure. Some preliminary studies have been performed in survivors. They provide evidence of brain damage and provide preliminary evidence that the degree of damage is related to cognitive brain problems that are observed.
However, these previous studies are limited by (i) mixed groups of patients with medulloblastoma and leukaemia (ii) small numbers of patients (iii) analysis of specific brain areas rather than the whole brain.
We aim to conduct a more detailed and comprehensive study by (i) studying much larger cohorts of medullablstoma survivors only (ii) measuring both structure and function of the whole brain (iii) relating these measures to cognition and behaviour (iv) looking at changes in function and structure over an 18 month period to better understand if these changes are evolving over time.
By doing this we aim to determine which brain areas are being damaged during treatment that subsequently lead to brain impairment. With this knowledge it may be possible to modify the treatment to spare these vital regions and reduce the frequency and severity with which post-treatment brain problems occur in the future.REC name
London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0887
Date of REC Opinion
31 May 2018
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion