Understanding how diffuse low-grade gliomas disrupt cortical information processing
Official title: Cortical information loss in diffuse low-grade glioma infiltrated cortex
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11379967 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how a common adult brain tumor changes brain circuits and thinking skills, with the aim of guiding better therapies for cognitive problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | July 9, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $400,890 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS137950-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11379967 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older with diffuse low-grade glioma or related cortical infiltration who could participate in observational or mechanistic studies linked to brain signaling and cognition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without glioma or those outside the study’s mechanistic focus may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
People with diffuse low-grade glioma often experience cognitive and behavioral changes as the tumor infiltrates healthy brain tissue. The research will examine how tumor cells interact with neurons and inhibitory signals, and how these interactions alter information flow in cortical circuits. By studying changes in laminar brain structure and GABAergic signaling, the team hopes to identify targets for precision therapies to improve cognitive function. The project combines human brain data with advanced analyses to understand the circuit-level consequences of tumor invasion. If successful, the work could pave the way for treatments that restore cognitive networks in adults living with this condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Potential benefits include new approaches to preserve or restore cognitive function in adults with low-grade glioma.
How similar studies have gone: Past research has shown that tumor-circuit interactions influence brain function, supporting the potential relevance of this approach, though direct translation to therapies remains evolving.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hervey-Jumper, Shawn L. — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Hervey-Jumper, Shawn L.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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OPTIMUM: Engaging LGG patients in understanding how low-grade brain tumors evolve
A large study plans to involve people with low-grade glioma to map how their tumors change from initial diagnosis to recurrence using patient-friendly data sharing and trial connections.
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Targeted therapies for pediatric low-grade glioma
A pediatric brain tumor project aims to find better, safer targeted treatments for kids with low-grade gliomas.
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Targeting O-mannosylation in pediatric brain tumors driven by BRAF fusion
A pediatric brain tumor project is exploring whether blocking a specific sugar-modifying process called POMT-mediated O-mannosylation can stop tumor growth in tumors driven by KIAA1549-BRAF fusions.
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Druggable targets in pediatric low-grade glioma through multi-modal data and screening
A pediatric brain tumor study aims to find new drug targets by integrating imaging, genetics, and biology data to tailor treatments for children with low-grade gliomas.
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Improving patient participation to track how lower-grade brain tumors change over time
This project works with adults who have lower-grade (WHO II/III) glioma to collect surgical tumor samples, medical records, and feedback so researchers can better understand how their tumors change from diagnosis to recurrence.
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Targeted treatments for childhood low-grade brain tumors
Seeing if more precise RAF-targeting drugs and drug combinations can improve treatment for children with low-grade gliomas, especially tumors with BRAF changes.
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.