Using movies to map language function in the brain before surgery
Official title: Naturalistic Neuroimaging for Presurgical Language Mapping
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11021033 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to see how your brain works with language while you watch short movie clips, making it easier for people with brain tumors to participate and helping doctors find the important language areas in your brain more accurately.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $623,632 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020965-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11021033 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include patients with brain tumors located near language areas of the brain who may have language or cognitive deficits.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without brain tumors or those whose language function is not at risk from surgery may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new method for mapping language function in patients with brain tumors near critical language areas. Instead of traditional tasks that may be difficult for some patients, participants will watch short movie clips during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans. This approach aims to provide a more accurate assessment of language function, especially for those with cognitive deficits, and improve patient compliance during the scanning process. The study will evaluate how effectively this method can identify language areas in the brain compared to conventional techniques.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better surgical outcomes and preserve language function for patients undergoing brain surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using alternative methods for language mapping, but this specific approach using movie-watching is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tie, Yanmei — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Tie, Yanmei
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Targeted therapies for glioblastoma in adults and kids
A large NIH program is exploring new brain cancer therapies, including drugs that reach the brain and work against glioblastoma in both children and adults.
-
Statins to Prevent Cancer-Associated Blood Clots in Cancer Patients
A large study will test whether taking rosuvastatin every day for a year can lower the chance of dangerous blood clots in people with cancer, without raising the risk of bleeding.
-
Preterm infant body composition and early-life health after NICU stay
This grant studies how body composition in very preterm babies relates to later brain development and risk of obesity or diabetes, with findings meant to improve care from NICU through early childhood.
-
Rapid Emergency Skills for Prehospital Optimization and Delivery (RESPOND) for Guatemala
A lightweight, AI-enabled prehospital training and triage program helps volunteer firefighters in Guatemala deliver faster, better care to trauma patients.
-
Rapid Emergency Skills for Prehospital Optimization and Notification in Guatemala
A mobile, AI-powered training and triage program helps volunteer emergency responders in Guatemala provide faster, safer trauma care and notify hospitals more quickly.
-
Understanding antibiotic allergy to improve care for patients
Scientists are testing new ideas to understand why some people develop severe allergic reactions to antibiotics and how to prevent or treat them.
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.