Understanding brain function in epilepsy and brain tumor patients
Official title: Mapping of Human Cognition
Run by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · NCT05989893 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is trying to see how brain function differs between healthy people and those with epilepsy or brain tumors by using special imaging and brain mapping techniques.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 75 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Houston, Texas) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 1, 2022 |
| Main results expected | July 31, 2028 |
| Study ends | July 31, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | November 2, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05989893 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include patients with medically refractory epilepsy or brain tumors who are undergoing or have undergone electrode placement for seizure localization and mapping of critical brain functions.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with significant structural brain abnormalities or those unable to participate in cognitive testing due to impaired cognition may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study aims to compare the organization of normal brain function using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in healthy individuals versus patients with epilepsy or brain tumors. It will involve patients who have subdural or depth electrodes implanted to map critical language and motor regions during cognitive tasks. The research seeks to generate spatial probability maps of essential cortical regions and compare these with locations identified through cortical stimulation mapping. This approach will enhance our understanding of brain function in relation to cognitive processes affected by these conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved localization of critical brain areas, enhancing surgical outcomes for patients with epilepsy and brain tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies utilizing fMRI and cortical stimulation mapping have shown promise in understanding brain function, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * patients with medically refractory epilepsy who are scheduled to undergo or have previously undergone placement of sub-dural electrodes (including depth electrodes) to localize the site of seizure onset and to map the locations of critical language and motor regions * patients with epilepsy, brain tumors or cortically based vascular malformations (cavernous malformations or arterio-venous malformations) with lesions that are/were proximate to crucial brain regions, and who are scheduled to undergo or have previously undergone intra-op mapping of motor, visual or language function, or a Wada test, or maybe part of an awake craniotomy. * proficiency in English Exclusion Criteria: * Gross structural abnormalities (large hamartomata, tumors, large vascular malformations, very large diffuse malformations of cortical development) that may have impacted upon the location of critical brain areas. * Unable to participate in testing due to impaired cognition or mental retardation. * Cardiac pacemakers, intracranial aneurysm clips, or other potentially mobile implanted metallic devices * Patients with claustrophobia who cannot undergo an MRI scan without sedation
Where it's running
-
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Nitin Tandon, MD — The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
- Study coordinator: Nitin Tandon, MD
- Email: Nitin.Tandon@uth.tmc.edu
- Phone: 713-500-5456
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.