Research
Current Studies
For more information on any of the studies listed below, please contact:
Haley Michener at hkmichener@mdanderson.org or
Veronica Vallone at vsvallone@mdanderson.org
Optimizing Neurofeedback to Treat Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Principal Investigator: Sarah Prinsloo, PhD
We are currently recruiting participants for our largest study to date treating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Over 380 participants from MD Anderson and LBJ Hospital will be randomized to receive either neurofeedback (at a variety of doses), duloxetine (a medication used to treat CIPN), or neurofeedback combined with duloxetine. EEGs will be collected pre- and post-treatment, as well as 6 and 12 months later to examine the brain changes and patient reported outcomes associated with treatment. Treatments can be received in-person or remotely for all groups.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04560673
Registry Study to Compare Use of Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Direct Cortical Stimulation in Pre-Operative and Intraoperative Eloquent Areas in Patients with Brain Tumors
Principal Investigators: Sarah Prinsloo, PhD and Sujit Prabhu, MD
Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (nTMS) is used to gather data on eloquent motor and speech areas of the cortex pre-operatively for patients with brain tumors. Additionally, direct cortical stimulation is used intraoperatively to guide surgical planning. This study gathers data related to the areas of the brain involved in motor and speech functions both pre- and post-operatively.
Retrospective review of brain and spine tumor patients undergoing perioperative TMS mapping
Co-Principal Investigator: Sarah Prinsloo, PhD
This study examines data from historical brain and spine tumor patients who underwent transcranial magnetic stimulation pre- and/or post-operatively to explore recovery and surgical outcomes.
Predicting Survival After Diffuse Glioma from Connectome Organization
Principal Investigator: Shelli Kesler, PhD and Co-Principal Investigator: Sarah Prinsloo, PhD
Our lab is collaborating with Dr. Kesler at The University of Austin School of Nursing. This study uses computational neuroimaging to predict outcomes for patients with brain tumors based on pre-surgical MRI imaging. Using machine learning, a patient’s pre-surgical connectome is analyzed to predict post-surgical outcome, while also comparing this predictive model to current radiometric and clinical predictions.
Chemobrain under General Anesthesia (COBRA): A pilot and feasibility study to identify electroencephalographic changes under general anesthesia in patients with and without history of chemotherapy.
Principal Investigators: Juan Cata, MD Co-Investigator: Sarah Prinsloo, PhD
This project examines EEG differences between women who have undergone chemotherapy and women who have not as both groups receive general anesthesia. This study tests the hypothesis that women who have undergone chemotherapy will be more sensitive to anesthesia, as measured by their EEG activity.
A Combination Therapy to Treat Cancer-Related Fatigue
Principal Investigator: Sriram Yennu, MD and Co-Investigator: Sarah Prinsloo, PhD
This study compares exercise plus methylphenidate to exercise plus placebo for treating cancer-related fatigue in patients with prostate cancer. EEG data is collected to explore differences in brain activity between responders and non-responders to the intervention.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03772834
Percutaneous cordotomy for pain palliation in patients with advanced cancer: A randomized controlled study
Principal Investigator: Ashwin Viswanathan,MD and Co-Investigator: Sarah Prinsloo, PhD
Advanced cancer palliative patients who are experiencing unilateral pain are randomized to received either cordotomy or a sham treatment (intrathecal morphine injection) to examine the efficacy of the cordotomy procedure. MRI analysis will also examine whether a successful response to cordotomy can be predicted by post-operative imaging.
Opioid-sparing Interdisciplinary Interventions Addressing Pain in Head and Neck Cancer Patients (CHAT)
Principal Investigator: Sriram Yennu, MD and Co-Investigator: Sarah Prinsloo, PhD
Non-medical opioid use (NMOU) is common and certain cancer patients may be at high risk. This study compares two treatments aimed at reducing NMOU – neurofeedback and CHAT (Compassionate High Alert Team) an interdisciplinary counseling approach. These approaches will be compared to standard of care to determine their impact on NMOU, pain, and patient’s opioid doses.
clinicaltrials.gov NCT No: NCT05077072
Feasibility of Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (nTMS) of Patients treated with Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Brain Metastases in the Motor Cortex: A Comprehensive Cross-sectional Assessment
Principal Investigator: Caroline Chung, Collaborator: Sarah Prinsloo, PhD
This study uses navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and EEG data to examine the effects of Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS or “Gamma Knife”) on motor function. Subjective and objective motor data will be used to evaluate radiation doses of the motor cortex.
clinicaltrials.gov NCT No: NCT04062305
Can You Hear Me? Assessment of Verbal Comprehension and Cognitive Processes in Patients in the Last Days of Life
Principal Investigator: David Hui, MD and Collaborator: Sarah Prinsloo, PhD
This study investigates the neural changes that take place preceding death and seeks to understand the patient’s cognitive states and abilities, including response to loved ones’ voices as well as neutral auditory stimuli.