Using advanced imaging to improve brain surgery for high-grade gliomas
Official title: dMRI-guided pre-operative planning for supra-total resection of high-gradegliomas
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10911788 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using special brain scans before surgery can help doctors remove aggressive brain tumors more effectively while keeping important brain functions safe, making it better for patients with high-grade gliomas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 22, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $539,600 |
| NIH project number | 7R01CA278819-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10911788 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with high-grade gliomas who are scheduled for surgical intervention.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with low-grade gliomas or those who are not candidates for surgical resection may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing surgical outcomes for patients with high-grade gliomas, a type of aggressive brain tumor. By utilizing diffusion MRI (dMRI) to map the brain's functional anatomy before surgery, the study aims to improve the planning of supratotal resection, which involves removing not just the visible tumor but also the surrounding microscopic cancer. This approach seeks to maximize tumor removal while preserving critical brain functions. The collaboration between academia and industry aims to develop a practical tool for surgeons to better assess and plan for these complex surgeries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved survival rates and quality of life for patients undergoing surgery for high-grade gliomas.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that advanced imaging techniques can significantly improve surgical outcomes in brain tumor surgeries, indicating a promising direction for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Verma, Ragini — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Verma, Ragini
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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.