Markers of neurocognitive changes during chemotherapy in children with ALL
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-11382024 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project looks at how chemotherapy affects thinking skills in kids with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, to help families understand and guide care.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $426,897 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA266135-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382024 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children undergoing treatment for ALL, particularly in the early years of life (under 12).
✕Less likely to help
Children who are not receiving chemotherapy for ALL or those who cannot participate in brain imaging may not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project follows children currently undergoing treatment for ALL to track changes in thinking skills and brain function over time. It uses neurocognitive tests and non-sedated brain imaging to identify when neurotoxic effects may occur during therapy. The goal is to find early markers so clinicians can tailor interventions to prevent or lessen long-term learning and daily-life impacts. The study builds on a preliminary visit and a 6-month follow-up to map development during treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to earlier support and remediation strategies to protect learning and quality of life for children during and after ALL treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary pediatric neurocognitive research suggests neurodevelopmental changes can occur with cancer treatment, but this study aims to map timing during therapy.
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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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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Identifying brain development issues in children undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia
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.
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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.