Identifying brain development issues in children undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia
Official title: Identifying markers of abnormal neurocognitive trajectories during chemotherapy treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Funded at Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst · NIH-10919181 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how chemotherapy for childhood leukemia might impact brain development and thinking skills in kids, so we can find ways to help them avoid any learning challenges later on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $489,128 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA266135-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10919181 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are currently undergoing chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia or are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how chemotherapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) affects brain development and cognitive functions in young patients. By assessing neurocognitive changes during treatment, the study aims to identify specific markers that indicate altered brain development. The approach includes neurocognitive evaluations and neuroimaging to track changes over time, providing insights into the timing and extent of neurotoxic effects. The ultimate goal is to develop strategies for remediation and prevention of cognitive difficulties in survivors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for mitigating cognitive impairments in children treated for leukemia, enhancing their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that assessing neurocognitive outcomes in childhood cancer survivors can provide valuable insights, suggesting that this approach may yield significant findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van Der Plas, Ellen — Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst
- Study coordinator: Van Der Plas, Ellen
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Markers of neurocognitive changes during chemotherapy in children with ALL
A research project looks at how chemotherapy affects thinking skills in kids with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, to help families understand and guide care.
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Tracking brain and thinking changes during childhood leukemia treatment
This project follows young children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia to find early signs of changing brain development and thinking skills during chemotherapy.
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Caregiver-led mobile tool to support healthy habits for kids treated for ALL
A caregiver-directed mobile program helps children who were treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia build healthier daily routines.
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Genomics of childhood ALL across global populations
A wide-ranging study looks at how inherited genetics influence the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia around the world.
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Genomics of childhood ALL across diverse populations
A large international study will look at why children everywhere get acute lymphoblastic leukemia and how genetics may influence risk.
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Combinatorial targeting for high-risk B-cell ALL treatment
A research effort at West Virginia University is exploring a combination therapy for adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia using targeted gene silencing and a small-molecule compound to improve treatment in patients.
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.