How radiation affects thinking and memory in people with glioma

Mechanisms of Radiation-Induced Neurocognitive Decline (MIND): Longitudinal Study of Imaging Biomarkers and Risk and Resilience Factors Underlying Cognitive Phenotypes in Patients with Glioma

NIH-funded research University of California, San Diego · NIH-11241113

This project will track brain scans and thinking skills over time to find patterns and risks for memory and thinking problems after radiation in adults with glioma.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-11241113 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would be followed before and after brain radiation with repeated thinking and memory tests and advanced brain scans. Researchers will use detailed cognitive profiles ('phenotypes') rather than a single test score to describe how thinking changes for different people. They will combine structural, microstructural, and blood-vessel imaging to look for brain changes that link radiation to cognitive problems. The team will also study tumor features, treatment details, and personal factors to find who is more likely to be harmed or resilient.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults (age 21 and older) with a diagnosis of glioma who are scheduled to receive or have recently received brain radiotherapy are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People without glioma, those under 21, or those not receiving brain radiotherapy are unlikely to be eligible or directly benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors tailor radiotherapy to protect thinking and memory and guide interventions to preserve cognitive function.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked radiotherapy to cognitive decline and shown imaging changes, but this comprehensive, longitudinal combination of cognitive phenotyping and multimodal imaging is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

La Jolla, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired brain injury
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.