Tensor Imaging in Paediatric Tumours for functional Outcome Prediction
Research type
Research Study
Full title
TIP-TOP: Tensor Imaging in Paediatric Tumours for functional Outcome Prediction
IRAS ID
211855
Contact name
Robert Dineen
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Survival rates of children with brain tumours have significantly increased in the last decades. However, the tumour resection and additional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy have long-term detrimental effects which affect the quality of life of young survivors. Understanding and describing these complex sequelae affecting multiple domains would require comprehensive neuropsychological assessment, which is not always possible due to time constraints and limited resources.
State-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning can allow us to measure a variety of different biological processes in the brain, and we believe that some of these MRI measures (called MRI biomarkers) have the potential to improve our ability to detect and understand functional outcomes in children and young people with history of brain cancer. In particular, an MRI technique called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) will enable to investigate the impact of white matter injury following surgery and treatment by reconstructing white matter pathways and quantifying ultrastructural integrity (principally fractional anisotropy, FA) from the tracts of interest.
In this study, we will test how MRI biomarkers (and DTI in particular) relate to functional outcomes in brain tumour patients as assessed through a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests. In particular, two groups of brain tumour patients will be recruited for this study: posterior fossa tumour (PFT) and optic pathway glioma (OPG) survivors. The rationale for comparing these two groups of brain cancer patients lies on the evidence that fundamental connection between visual processing and fine manual control underpins the close inter-relationship between motor and cognitive development in childhood and are strongly associated with scholastic achievement. The interplay between motor development, visual-motor processing and cognitive development is particularly relevant for children whose tumour involves structures critical for visual (OPG) or motor (PFT) function.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/2149
Date of REC Opinion
2 Feb 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion