Impact of Hippocampal Avoidance During Whole Brain Radiation Therapy

Neurocognitive Impact and Dose-Effect Relationship of Hippocampal Avoidance During Whole Brain Radiotherapy Plus Simultaneous Integrated Boost - A Prospective Follow-up Study

Not applicable Interventional Chang Gung Memorial Hospital · NCT03223675

This study is testing if avoiding radiation to the hippocampus during whole brain treatment can help people with brain metastases keep their thinking skills while still controlling their tumors.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages20 Years to 84 Years
SexAll
SponsorChang Gung Memorial Hospital Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsradiation
Locations1 site (Taoyuan)
Trial IDNCT03223675 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the neurocognitive effects of sparing the hippocampus during whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) in patients with brain metastases. It aims to determine the dose-effect relationship of this approach and its potential to preserve cognitive functions while controlling intracranial tumors. The study focuses on patients with limited brain metastases and good performance status, assessing the impact of hippocampal avoidance on neurocognitive outcomes. Participants will receive hippocampal-sparing WBRT as part of their treatment.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include patients with pathologically-confirmed non-hematopoietic malignancies and limited brain metastases who have a good performance status.

Not a fit: Patients with metastases near the hippocampus or those with extensive brain involvement may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help preserve cognitive functions in patients undergoing WBRT for brain metastases.

How similar studies have performed: While there is ongoing research in this area, the specific approach of hippocampal-sparing WBRT is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with pathologically-confirmed non-hematopoietic malignancy who are referred for therapeutic or prophylactic WBRT
* Good performance status no worse than Eastern Cooperative Group (ECOG) of 2 or a general status of Karnofsky Score (KPS) at least 70 %
* The number and extent of brain metastatic lesions should be no more than three metastatic foci with a greatest diameter no more than 3 cm

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with MRI-identified metastasis within 5 mm perihippocampally
* Patients with metastasis involving the brain stem
* Clinical suspicion of leptomeningeal spreading
* Patients with a solitary brain metastatic lesion which had been totally removed
* History of prior radiotherapy including stereotactic radiosurgery delivered to brain/head region for any reasons

Where this trial is running

Taoyuan

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Brain MetastasisBrain Metastases
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.