Movie-Watching Functional MRI for Mapping Brain Function in Neurosurgical Patients (NCT07650994) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Movie-Watching Functional MRI for Mapping Brain Function in Neurosurgical Patients
United States90 participantsStarted 2026-09-01
Plain-language summary
This research will compare a new type of functional MRI (fMRI) called naturalistic viewing (also called movie watching) to standard clinical fMRI techniques. Standard clinical fMRI currently uses multiple tasks such as reading and responding to words or sentences to determine which areas of the brain are responsible for language. Surgeons can use this information to help plan brain surgeries. This research will help determine if the movie-watching fMRI is equivalent or better than the standard task-based fMRI. If so, it could be useful for planning patients' surgeries in the future, without the need for multiple tasks.
Who can participate
Age range
21 Years – 70 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:
* Any sex, age between 21 to 70 years;
* Known or suspected glioma (lesion) of the brain;
* English speaking;
* Patients with clinical fMRI scheduled (or pending scheduling) for presurgical planning at BWH ordered by a BWH clinician;
* Passes prescreening and standard of care screenings for 3 Tesla MRI;
* Willing to participate in the additional study scan and neuropsychological assessment visit;
* Informed consent form signed by the subject or legally acceptable representative.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Contraindications to MRI: Note: MRI screening will be performed by radiology staff as part of their standard process for their clinical scans and if subjects do not pass the screen, MRI will not be performed.
* Pregnancy or possible pregnancy: Female participants under 55 (or 45 with menstrual cycle in the past 12 months) who may be pregnant. Per policy: potential subjects will be asked if they are pregnant and excluded if they say yes. If unsure, pregnancy testing will be performed. Any subjects with positive result will be excluded.
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.
1This trial uses movie-watching MRI scans instead of traditional tasks to map language areas in the brain before surgery — how does that approach compare to the standard language mapping methods you currently use for my type of brain tumor?
2Since this study is not yet recruiting, do you know when it's expected to open, and would waiting to potentially participate affect the timing of my surgery or treatment plan?
3The trial is measuring how well the movie-based fMRI lines up with the language fiber tracts in the brain — what does that mean for how surgeons would actually use this information to protect my speech during an operation?
4This study is listed as Phase NA, which suggests it's more of a brain-mapping research study than a treatment trial — does participating involve any changes to my actual surgical procedure, or is it purely about collecting data before surgery?
5Given that language preservation is one of the biggest concerns with glioma surgery, would you recommend I discuss this study as part of my pre-surgical planning, or is there already a standard mapping approach you think would better suit my situation?
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
1
Language localization
Timeframe: From enrollment to up to 6 months after brain surgery.
2
Language lateralization
Timeframe: From enrollment to up to 6 months after brain surgery.
3
FMRI language activations concordance with language fiber tracts
Timeframe: From enrollment to up to 6 months after brain surgery.