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Research Studies

Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program Research Studies

Find research studies available to children cared for by the Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program team.

Existing patients or family members
New patients, referrals and second opinions

Recruitment Status

Related conditions

Eligible age

Clinical trial phase

CEST MRI Study for Children with Brain Tumors

This study aims to explore a new type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) called Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) in children aged 6-18 years with brain tumors. An MRI is a machine that takes detailed pictures of the brain. The CEST MRI used in this study is still being tested and has not been approved by the FDA yet. The study wants to find out if this new type of MRI can help doctors evaluate brain tumors. CEST MRI creates images using water molecules and protons in the brain. Early research shows that CEST could be helpful in understanding brain tumor changes.

This study will enroll 5 participants.

Phase: N/A

Actively recruiting: Yes

Category: Adults, Children, MRI/Imaging Studies, One-Time Visit Studies

Conditions: Pediatric Brain Tumors

Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) of the Spinal Cord

This study aims to explore a special type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) called Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) in children aged 0-6 months and 6-17 years. The study will enroll 24 participants and will include children with spinal cord disorders, children receiving spinal radiation for central nervous system tumors, and children without spinal cord disorders. An MRI is a machine that takes detailed pictures of the spine. Researchers are looking to see if DTI can help doctors better understand and treat spinal cord disorders. The procedure is safe and does not require any sedative or contrast agent injections.

Phase: N/A

Actively recruiting: Yes

Category: Children, Healthy Controls, MRI/Imaging Studies, One-Time Visit Studies

Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) of the Brain

This study focuses on a new type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) called Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) for children aged 6-18 years, both with and without brain tumors. An MRI is a machine that creates detailed pictures of the brain. MRE combines MRI with gentle vibrations from a pillow-like device to study how soft tissues, like the brain, respond to these vibrations. Although MRE is used clinically to assess liver stiffness, it is not yet FDA-approved for brain imaging. This study aims to see if MRE could help doctors with diagnosing and managing brain tumors in children. The procedure does not involve any injections, including sedatives or contrast agents.

The study will enroll 30 participants.

Phase: Pilot

Actively recruiting: Yes

Category: Adults, Children, Healthy Controls, MRI/Imaging Studies, One-Time Visit Studies

Sodium and CEST MRI Study

This study is for children ages 6-18 years, both with and without brain tumors. The goal is to see if the two new types of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans can help doctors diagnose brain tumors in children. An MRI is a machine that takes detailed pictures of the brain. The new types of MRI images in this study are still being tested and not yet approved by the FDA for finding brain tumors. Sodium MRI creates images of sodium distribution in the brain and is helpful for studying different brain conditions. CEST MRI creates images using water molecules and protons in the brain. Both methods are safe and do not require any injections, including sedatives or contrast agents.

Phase: Pilot

Actively recruiting: Yes

Category: Adults, Children, Healthy Controls, MRI/Imaging Studies, One-Time Visit Studies

Sodium MRI

The purpose of this study is to look at the Sodium Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings in children with brain tumors and healthy children. An MRI is a machine which takes pictures of the brain. The type of MRI image in this study is a new type that is not yet FDA approved and the study is looking to see if the new type of MRI image is useful in looking at sodium in the brain and brain tumors. Sodium MRI (also known as 23Na-MRI) is a useful non-invasive imaging technique to assess biochemical and physiologic changes in tissues, e.g. integrity of cells and tissue viability. Sodium MRI has been beneficial in the evaluation of several neurological disorders including acute ischemic strokes, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, migraines, and multiple tumor types, including tumors outside of the central nervous system.

Phase: Pilot

Actively recruiting: Yes

Category: Children, Healthy Controls, MRI/Imaging Studies, One-Time Visit Studies

Conditions: Pediatric Brain Tumors

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