Cognitive Rehabilitation for Brain Cancer Survivors
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This study will evaluate a new way to help childhood medulloblastoma survivors improve their thinking and memory skills. Many survivors experience long term challenges with attention and working memory because of the tumor and its treatments. The study uses real time neuroimaging technologies such as real time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) and real time functional near infrared spectroscopy (rt-fNIRS) make it possible to monitor and display a participant's brain activity as it occurs. Neurofeedback uses this activity to provide individuals with immediate visual information about how specific brain regions are functioning, potentially enabling them to learn strategies to modulate or improve brain activity linked to thinking skills.
Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives feedback from a brain area involved in working memory, and the other receives feedback from a different brain region as a comparison. Over three visits, participants complete brain scans, neurofeedback sessions, and thinking and memory tests.
The main goal is to see if this type of brain training is practical, safe, and comfortable for survivors. The study also looks at whether the training may help improve brain activity and working memory performance.
Primary Objective(s):
• To evaluate the feasibility of real time Hemo-NFB neurofeedback training in medulloblastoma survivors.
Secondary Objective(s):
• To estimate the initial efficacy of Hemo-NFB neurofeedback to up-regulate the activity of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and improve WM performance.
Who Is on the Research Team?
Ranganatha Sitaram, ME, PhD
Principal Investigator
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for people who survived childhood medulloblastoma (a type of brain cancer) and now have challenges with attention or memory. Participants should be able to undergo MRI scans and take part in thinking tests.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- rt fMRI Neurofeedback (DLPFC)
- rt fMRI Neurofeedback (PAC)
Trial Overview
The study tests a new brain training method using real-time neurofeedback from MRI scans. Participants are randomly assigned to get feedback from one of two different brain regions over three sessions, aiming to improve memory and thinking skills.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Participants receive real-time fMRI neurofeedback targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) to train working memory-related brain activity.
Participants receive real-time fMRI neurofeedback targeting the primary auditory cortex (PAC). This serves as an active control to account for non-specific effects of neurofeedback and scanner exposure.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Lead Sponsor
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