PET marker to map brain synapses after radiation therapy
Official title: PET Biomarker for synaptic density changes after radiation therapy
Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-11397465 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new PET imaging test uses a special tracer to watch how synapses in the brain change after radiation therapy, aiming to understand and protect cognitive function in people affected by CNS tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 3, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $715,594 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA275767-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11397465 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with CNS malignancies treated with focal brain radiation and at risk for cognitive changes (via future trials and clinical translation).
✕Less likely to help
Direct benefit may be limited to future patients if the findings require additional development before clinical use.
What this research studies
This project will use a whole-brain PET scan with a novel synaptic density tracer in rodent models to track changes in synapses after targeted brain radiation. Researchers will relate those synaptic changes to cognitive performance to identify mechanisms behind radiation-related cognitive decline. The goal is to inform strategies, like hippocampal-sparing techniques, to preserve thinking abilities in patients. Although the work is in animals, findings could guide future strategies to reduce cognitive side effects in people undergoing brain radiation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better ways to prevent or mitigate cognitive decline after brain radiation therapy in patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies using synaptic density PET have provided promising insights in neurological diseases, but applying it to radiation-induced brain injury is an emerging area.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aboian, Mariam — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Aboian, Mariam
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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.