Assessment of Eloquent Function in Brain Tumor Patients

Any patient with a primary or metastatic brain tumor in or near an eloquent area would be eligible for participation in the study assuming no contraindications to any of the studies or operative procedure.

Pre-operative evaluation will include clinical evaluation, neuropsychological testing, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain with and without contrast, fMRI, DTI tractograms, and MEG studies as well as standard pre-operative work-up.

Intra-operative procedures include all non-invasive pre-operative mapping data being incorporated into the operative procedure with imaging tools that are routinely used during neurosurgical procedures. Participants will have awake mapping performed. Usual standards of care will be followed during craniotomy, mapping, and tumor resection or biopsy.

Post-operative procedures include routine post-operative care and assessment consisting of clinical examinations and imaging obtained within 24 hours post-resection. Participants will have routine follow-up outpatient appointments after surgery which will include neurologic assessment and follow-up imaging (MRI with and without contrast) for their tumors as appropriate. The experimental portion of the protocol is incorporating repeat neuropsychological testing and mapping studies (fMRI, DTI, MEG) studies at 2 and 6 months post-surgery into their routine follow-up.

Inclusion criteria

• 19 years and older
• Brain tumor in or near eloquent brain regions that is appropriate for attempted resection
• Appropriate body habitus and mental status/capacity to participate with non-invasive or invasive mapping
• Benign or malignant intra-axial brain tumor
• Primary or metastatic intra-axial brain tumor

Exclusion criteria

• Any contraindication to MRI (i.e. implanted devices)
• Inappropriate body habitus or mental status/capacity to participate with non-invasive or invasive mapping in a safe and reliable manner
• Declining to participate
• Lacks capacity to understand the study or consent for themselves
• Neurologic status which precludes testing (poor function- not testable)
• Positive pregnancy test
• End stage renal disease or severe renal dysfunction