Active clinical trials for "Brain Neoplasms"

Children treated with radiation therapy for brain tumors are at risk for cognitive problems. These problems have typically been demonstrated on global cognitive measures including measures of intellectual functioning (IQ). Identification of specific areas of impairment can assist in isolating vulnerable brain areas and developing targeted interventions. In this study, we assess brain tumor survivors, solid tumor controls and healthy sibling controls using measures of working memory (online maintenance and manipulation of information) in order to identify a specific cognitive process that may underlie the observed decline in IQ. We are also exploring relationships among working memory performance with IQ, clinical characteristics and a specific genetic factor of interest.

The purpose of this study is to determine the uptake of the amino acid O-(2-[F-18]Fluorethyl)-L-tyrosin (FET) in human brain tumors using positron emission tomography. A comparison to MRI and histopathological samples is used.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a way to accurately treat brain tumors. SRS involves the use of a special head frame to keep the head from moving during treatment. The head frame makes very accurate treatment possible. The frame must be attached to the skull with special pins. It feels very tight and can hurt. A special immobilization device can be used to keep the head from moving. This device does not need any pins and does not hurt. We would like to see if the new way of holding the head still can be used for SRS. This is the purpose of the study. New X-Ray machines can be used to find if the head has moved in the mask. We hope that we can use these new tools to treat brain tumors just as accurately without using a head frame. It will make treatment more comfortable for the patient. This is why we are asking patients to join the study.

This protocol is designed to evaluate children with cancer who appear to be probable candidates for future protocol entry or have disease manifestations that are of unique scientific importance or educational value.

Surgery for brain gliomas is usually guided by different imaging techniques including neuronavigation MRI and intraoperative ultrasound that do not allow visualization of the low-density peri-lesional tumor infiltration present in gliomas and from which the tumor recurs. Another important aspect in the management of glial tumors is the histological grade. The appearance of new vessels (called neo-angiogenesis) is one of the crucial steps in the life of these tumors, which signifies the transition to anaplasia. This neoangiogenesis is diagnosed during the anatomopathological analysis of the operative specimen, and may be suspected on preoperative MRI on the so-called infusion sequences. The objective of this project is to evaluate the potential of two ultrasound modalities - elastography and ultrasensitive Doppler - in helping the surgical management of brain tumors. Ultrasound elastography measures cerebral elasticity and thus indirectly the degree of tumor infiltration; while ultrasensitive Doppler measures intratumoral vascularization, and could therefore help in the diagnosis of tumor anaplasia.

In this pilot study participants will undergo routine magnetic resonance imaging and routine neurosurgical care. By prospectively collecting data from both MRI and patient records we want to investigate biomarkers derived from tractography and diffusion tensor imaging to predict rehabilitation potential.

The aim is to identify in patients with brain metastases the predictive factors of overall survival, survival without local recurrence and survival with progression-free brain metastases after complementary whole brain radiotherapy.

Fluorescein is a dye agent that can be injected through an intravenous line. It has been shown to help tell the difference between brain tumor tissue and normal brain tissue when it is used together with a specialized filter on a microscope in the operating room. The investigators plan to study the use of fluorescein in the removal of brain tumors at a low dose.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic study that makes pictures of organs of the body using magnetic field and radio frequency pulses that can not be felt. The purpose of this study is to determine if new imaging methods can help tumor evaluation in the brain. The extra images will be obtained using diffusion and perfusion MRI techniques to assess early treatment response in patients with brain metastasis, and will be compared to methods currently being used.

This is a study to determine if Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques can detect early changes in white matter (in the brain) and the blood-brain barrier resulting from radiation therapy.