Using interactive games to help caregivers support infants with brain tumors
Official title: Caregiver Education with Interactive Neurodevelopmental Games to Improve Cognitive and Social-Emotional Outcomes in Infants Undergoing Treatment for Medulloblastoma
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-11054699 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a fun program for parents to help their young children with medulloblastoma grow their thinking and social skills through interactive games, making it easier for them to thrive during and after treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $217,600 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA280187-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054699 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants under 5 years old who are diagnosed with medulloblastoma and undergoing treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 5 years or those not undergoing treatment for brain tumors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a caregiver education program that teaches parents how to enhance their infants' cognitive and social-emotional development during and after treatment for medulloblastoma, a common brain tumor in young children. The program includes interactive neurodevelopmental games that caregivers can play with their children to strengthen important brain pathways. By targeting children under 5 years old, the research aims to address the unique challenges faced by this age group, who are at high risk for cognitive difficulties due to their developing brains. The approach emphasizes the critical role of the early learning environment in promoting healthy brain development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve cognitive and emotional outcomes for infants undergoing treatment for brain tumors, enhancing their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that early interventions can positively impact cognitive development in young children, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Conklin, Heather M — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Conklin, Heather M
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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.