10 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
Children with brain tumors who have had radiation therapy are at risk for problems with attention, memory, and problem solving. Such problems may cause difficulty in school and daily life. Memantine, the drug being used for this study, is not yet approved for use in children by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, studies have shown some improvements in memory for patients with dementia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and autism. Scientists have also used this medication for adult cancer patients receiving radiation therapy with results showing less cognitive declines over time compared to patients taking a placebo (inactive pill). These studies have also shown few side effects. This is a pilot/feasibility study and the first known study involving children with a cancer diagnosis or brain tumor. PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: * To estimate the participation rate in a study of memantine used as a neuro-protective agent in children undergoing radiotherapy for localized brain tumors (low grade glioma, craniopharyngioma, ependymoma, or germ cell tumor) * To estimate the rate of memantine medication adherence * To estimate the rate of completion of cognitive assessments SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: * To estimate the effect size of change in neurobehavioral outcomes (cognitive, social, quality of life, neurologic) associated with memantine * To evaluate the frequency and nature of memantine side effects as measured by the Systematic Assessment for Treatment Emergent Events (SAFTEE)
Background: - More children with cancer are surviving into adulthood. Some side effects from treatment go away quickly. But some problems may not go away or may only show up months or years later. These problems are called late effects. Late effects can cause difficulties in cognitive functions, such as attention and memory. Physical activity has been found to improve the attention and memory skills of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Researchers want to see if physical activity can help with these cognitive problems in children with brain tumors. Objectives: - To see if physical activity can improve cognitive functions in children who had radiation therapy for a brain tumor. Eligibility: - Children ages 8 17 who had radiation for a brain tumor at least 2 years ago. They must have access to a computer. Design: * Participants will be screened with height, weight, and medical history. They will answer questions about daily physical activities. Their heart will be checked. * Participants will go to the clinic for 2 days. They will have a fitness exam and tests about attention, memory, and concentration. They will have blood taken and answer questions. Parents will also answer questions. * Participants will be put into 2 groups. For the first 12 weeks, the intervention group will follow a physical activity program. The control group will do their usual physical activities. * For the second 12 weeks, the control group will follow the physical activity program. The intervention group will continue the activities on their own. All groups will track their physical activity with an activity monitor and computer. * Participants will have a follow-up visit at the clinic after each session. They will repeat some of the tests listed above. * The study lasts 24 weeks plus the two follow-up visits. Participants can keep their activity monitor.
Children treated for a brain tumor (BT) or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) show elevated rates of working memory impairment. Working memory (WM) is the ability to hold and manipulate information online; for example, when an individual mentally rehearses a phone number in order to dial it without writing it down. A computer-based working memory intervention has been successful in children diagnosed with ADHD and stroke survivors. Individuals participating in the intervention showed improvements on working memory measures as well as more complex problem solving skills. Neuroimaging (brain scans) conducted before and after training showed changes in brain activation suggestive of underlying changes in brain systems that support working memory. This study investigates the effectiveness of this computer-based working memory intervention for childhood cancer survivors.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of atomoxetine in enhancing attention and concentration among childhood survivors of cancer.
Children and adolescents treated for a brain tumor often experience fatigue and cognitive symptoms, such as slowed information processing and inattention. These symptoms may cause difficulty carrying out daily activities at home and at school. There are few well-researched, non-pharmacological interventions aimed at improving symptoms of fatigue and by extension cognitive symptoms. Systematic bright light exposure has been shown to improve symptoms of fatigue in adult survivors of cancer and children treated for some forms of cancer. This is a pilot/feasibility study and the first known study in children treated for a brain tumor. Findings from this study will be used to help plan a larger study to examine the effectiveness of this intervention and mechanisms of action. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: 1. To evaluate feasibility and adherence in a study of systematic bright light exposure used to improve fatigue and cognitive efficiency in survivors of pediatric brain tumor, including rates of enrollment, adherence, and acceptability. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: 2. To estimate the effect size of change in fatigue associated with bright light exposure. 3. To estimate the effect size of change in cognitive efficiency associated with bright light exposure.
Children treated with radiation therapy for brain tumors are at risk for cognitive problems. These problems have typically been demonstrated on global cognitive measures including measures of intellectual functioning (IQ). Identification of specific areas of impairment can assist in isolating vulnerable brain areas and developing targeted interventions. In this study, we assess brain tumor survivors, solid tumor controls and healthy sibling controls using measures of working memory (online maintenance and manipulation of information) in order to identify a specific cognitive process that may underlie the observed decline in IQ. We are also exploring relationships among working memory performance with IQ, clinical characteristics and a specific genetic factor of interest.
Children surviving some types of cancer have a higher risk of developing learning problems after cancer treatment than do children who have not had cancer or its treatment. Cancer treatment may cause problems with learning, attention, and memory. The purpose of this study is to identify brain changes that may underlie learning problems in cancer survivors and investigate whether methylphenidate (a stimulant medication) may reduce these problems. Subjects who have had treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or a brain tumor will be asked to take part in this research study. Siblings of some subjects will also be asked to take part, so that their results can be compared with those of children who have had cancer treatment. We hypothesize that children receiving more aggressive therapy will have lower white matter brain volumes and these volumes will be significantly lower than age-matched siblings. We also hypothesize that children who take methylphenidate will show improvements on teacher and parent report measures of attention and social skills.
The goal of this study is to learn about the cognitive and behavioral functioning of children being treated for cancer.
This pilot clinical trial studies a culturally adapted skills training and educational intervention in guiding parents of younger acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) survivors at risk for long-term attention and memory problems (late neurocognitive effects). ALL and AML treatments target the central nervous system and may put younger survivors at increased risk for late neurocognitive effects, which may lead to learning difficulties or behavior problems and poor health-related quality of life. Spanish-speaking parents of young ALL or AML survivors may not have access to the information, resources, or guidance to help their children through these difficulties. Adapting an existing parent-training program into Spanish may help teach Spanish-speaking parents effective ways to prevent or reduce learning and behavioral difficulties, which may improve the quality of life of parents and young ALL or AML survivors.
This study may help identify how abnormalities in brain systems that control the ability to ignore irrelevant information may contribute to the development of depression in older adults.