CompletedNot Applicable

Predicting Cognitive Dysfunction After Pediatric Posterior Fossa Tumor Surgery

China600 participantsStarted 2015-01-01

Plain-language summary

The goal of this observational study is to develop and validate a clinical prediction model to identify risk factors for long-term cognitive dysfunction in children (ages 0-18 years) who have undergone surgical resection of a posterior fossa tumor. The main questions it aims to answer are: Can a combination of preoperative and postoperative clinical, surgical, and neuroimaging factors accurately predict which children will develop long-term cognitive dysfunction after posterior fossa tumor surgery? Is white matter integrity-specifically fractional anisotropy (FA) of the superior cerebellar peduncle (SCP)-a key independent predictor of cognitive outcomes? Researchers will compare children who developed long-term cognitive dysfunction (cases) to those who did not (controls) to see if differences in imaging biomarkers (e.g., SCP FA, fMRI abnormalities), tumor characteristics (e.g., location, volume, histology), treatment factors (e.g., radiotherapy, surgical approach), and demographic variables (e.g., age) are associated with cognitive outcomes. Participants were not asked to perform any tasks or receive any interventions as part of this study, because it is a retrospective analysis of existing medical records and imaging data. Data collected included: Preoperative and postoperative brain MRI and DTI scans Tumor pathology and surgical reports Treatment details (e.g., radiation, chemotherapy) Neuropsychological assessment results at 1-year follow-up

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 0-18 years at time of surgery * Histopathologically confirmed primary posterior fossa tumor (e.g., medulloblastoma, ependymoma, pilocytic astrocytoma) * Underwent surgical resection of the tumor at the hospital * Availability of preoperative brain MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) * Completed standardized neuropsychological assessment at approximately 1 year post-surgery Exclusion Criteria: * Pre-existing neurological or neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy) * History of prior cranial irradiation or chemotherapy before posterior fossa surgery * Incomplete clinical, imaging, or follow-up data required for model variables * Tumor recurrence or progression before 1-year cognitive assessment * Non-posterior fossa primary brain tumors (e.g., supratentorial gliomas)

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Incidence of Long-Term Cognitive Dysfunction

Timeframe: 1 year

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07350382

SponsorWest China Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2023-12-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Posterior Fossa Tumors trials