Effects of methotrexate on brain function in young cancer survivors
Official title: Methotrexate effects on synaptic plasticity: a path to female resiliency to chemotherapy-induced cognitive deficits
Funded at University of Cincinnati · NIH-11143985 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the chemotherapy drug methotrexate affects brain function and thinking skills in children with leukemia, especially to understand why some survivors have trouble with their thinking later on, and it aims to find ways to help protect their brain health in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $445,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS143130-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11143985 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children and adolescents aged 0-20 who have been treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not undergone treatment with methotrexate or who are not survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how methotrexate, a common chemotherapy drug for treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children, affects brain function and cognitive abilities. It focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind cognitive deficits that some survivors experience, particularly looking at changes in brain cell communication and gene expression. By using a mouse model that mimics early life exposure to cancer and chemotherapy, the study aims to uncover the differences in how male and female brains respond to methotrexate. The findings could lead to better strategies for protecting cognitive health in young cancer survivors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help develop interventions to prevent cognitive deficits in children treated with methotrexate for leukemia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the effects of chemotherapy on brain function can lead to significant improvements in patient care, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reyes, Teresa M — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Reyes, Teresa M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
An integrated mobile health program to reduce SAVA and mental health problems among female sex workers in Kenya
A new mobile health program aims to help female sex workers in Kenya avoid substance abuse, violence, HIV, and depression by delivering group therapy, online resources, and a peer discussion space.
-
Photodynamic lipids to boost chemotherapy for metastatic ovarian cancer
A patient-friendly approach tests a light-activated method to make ovarian cancer metastases more sensitive to chemotherapy.
-
HIV in Women: How the virus hides and the immune system changes across life stages
This project looks at how HIV behaves differently in people from puberty through menopause, focusing on how hormones like estrogen may affect HIV persistence and immune responses.
-
Mobile health support to boost PrEP and contraception use among young women in Zambia
A mobile health program helps female university students in Zambia learn about and access HIV prevention and contraception.
-
Computational modeling of female hormone balance and drug responses
A new computational model uses patient-like data to predict how metabolic drugs will work in women across their hormonal cycles and different reproductive stages.
-
Dual targeting of heart cell receptors to prevent chemotherapy heart damage
Atrial patients receiving the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin may be protected from heart damage by targeting two heart cell receptors at once.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.