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, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
The overall survival rate of children with medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumour of childhood, has increased due to the availability of intensive multimodal treatment strategies. However, these improvements in survival are often accompanied by serious impairments and reduced quality of life. For example, deficits in attention, memory, and literacy are commonly seen in survivors of medulloblastoma.
To better understand how these impairments arise, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to investigate structural and functional changes in the brain as a result of medulloblastoma and its treatment. Some preliminary studies have been performed in survivors of brain tumours, including medulloblastoma. They provide evidence of post-treatment alterations in brain structure and function, and provide preliminary evidence that the degree of alteration is related to cognitive brain problems that are observed.
However, these previous studies are limited by:
(i) Mixed groups of patients with medulloblastoma and other types of cancer, such as 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 medulloblastoma 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 in patients in the short- and long-term, and studying short-term survivors over an 18-month period to better understand if/how these changes are evolving over time.By doing this we aim to determine which brain areas are being affected by treatment and investigate whether these effects are associated with impairment and reduction in quality of life. With this knowledge it may be possible to modify treatments to spare vital brain regions and reduce the frequency and severity with which post-treatment brain problems occur in the future.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0203
Date of REC Opinion
29 May 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion