New brain grid could make tumor surgery safer

NCT ID NCT02754544

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests a special brain-mapping grid placed during surgery to better identify areas that control movement and speech. Researchers will compare this method with standard techniques in 75 adults with brain tumors. The goal is to see if the new grid helps surgeons avoid damaging important brain functions.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to: If successful, this could lead to safer brain tumor surgeries by helping surgeons avoid damaging critical brain areas.
What could go wrong: This is a small pilot study, so results may not apply to all patients. The technique is still experimental and needs more testing.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 75 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Jul 2016

Expected to finish

Jan 2028

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients undergoing a tumor resection at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center for a newly diagnosed as well as recurrent primary or metastatic brain tumor located in or adjacent to motor and/or speech brain areas * Patients \>= 18 years of age * Signed informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with significant neurological motor deficits of the upper extremities, and/or speech deficits, which would preclude them from performing the while awake intra-operative tasks at the discretion of the principal investigator (PI) * Patients who have impaired vision and/or hearing and whose performance could affect the study will be excluded at the discretion of the PI

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

brain cancer brain neoplasm metastatic malignant neoplasm in the brain primary brain neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Brain neoplasm Metastatic malignant neoplasm in the brain Recurrent brain neoplasm

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.

New brain grid could make tumor surgery safer

What the study statuses mean