Understanding how brain tumors affect brain cell activity
Official title: Neural Activity Signatures of Tumor Infiltration in the Human Brain
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10942268 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how brain tumors affect the activity of healthy brain cells, especially to learn more about why some patients with gliomas develop epilepsy, and it’s designed for people undergoing surgery for brain tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $619,470 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS134410-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10942268 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients diagnosed with gliomas or other brain tumors who may experience changes in brain activity or seizures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with brain tumors that do not exhibit significant infiltration or those who do not experience neurological symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the interactions between brain tumor cells and healthy brain cells, focusing on how tumor infiltration alters neuron activity. By using advanced microelectrodes, the study aims to measure brain activity in real-time during surgery, providing insights into how tumors increase excitability in brain tissue. The goal is to understand the mechanisms behind tumor growth and its impact on brain function, particularly in relation to epilepsy development in glioma patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for brain cancer and epilepsy, enhancing patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While similar studies have been conducted in animal models, this research aims to provide novel insights into human brain activity, making it a pioneering effort in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Paulk, Angelique C — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Paulk, Angelique C
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Global TravEpiNet: Pregnant Travelers Health and Disease Prevention Network
This grant supports a national network to improve health and prevent infections among international travelers, with a special focus on pregnant travelers.
-
Soluble ST2 and the course of lung injury in ARDS
A doctor-scientist at a top hospital is studying how a molecule called soluble ST2 may influence how lung injury starts and heals in patients with ARDS and related conditions.
-
Role of airway macrophages in lung health and allergic disease
A doctor-scientist at a major hospital wants to study how immune cells in the airways develop and influence asthma and other airway diseases.
-
Global TravEpiNet: Understanding and Protecting US Travelers, including Pregnant Travelers
A large U.S. network studies international travelers, including pregnant travelers, to understand illness risks and reduce the spread of infections.
-
Gait speed from wearable sensors to guide ALS trials
A patient-friendly look at using wearable sensors to measure how fast people with ALS walk, to help run better ALS trials.
-
Determinants of Post-Stroke Cognitive Outcomes and Vascular Effects on Recovery
A large, multi-site effort aims to understand why some stroke survivors develop long-term cognitive problems and dementia, and how vascular health and pre-existing brain changes influence recovery.
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.