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HERCules study (brain tumors)

Clinical study of the effects of radiotherapy on the hypothalamus and neurocognitive outcomes.
Who can participate
  • Children and adults diagnosed at least five years ago with a brain tumor in the posterior fossa region or the area near by the pituitary gland/hypothalamus. These include the following brain tumors: craniopharyngioma, low-grade glioma (pilocytic astrocytoma and opticus glioma), intracranial germ cell tumor, ependymoma and medulloblastoma.
  • Age: 6-30 years.

Goal

The aim of this study is to study the effects of radiotherapy (cranial irradiation) on the hypothalamus.


Background

The hypothalamus is the key regulator of our body’s balance in the brain. When damage to the hypothalamus occurs, it may have many consequences.

We already know from previous studies that the hypothalamus can be damaged by a tumor or surgery. But we do not yet know whether radiation (cranial irradiation) can also damage the hypothalamus. Similarly, we do not know the extent to which damage to the hypothalamus affects neurocognition (the ability to think, understand and remember).

Study design

We are studying patients who received treatment for a brain tumor between 2005 and 2020 and are at risk of damage to the hypothalamus. In this study, we want to investigate the functions of the hypothalamus (hormones, eating behavior, sleep pattern, body temperature and daily activity). We also want to do neuropsychological tasks to look at neurocognition. We will investigate the relationship between given radiation, hypothalamic damage and neurocognition.

What does participation involve

We ask participants to fill out questionnaires at home and keep a diary. We will also do some measurements during the outpatient clinic visit at the Princess Máxima Center (for care), such as neuropsychological tasks. We ask some participants to wear a wristband for 7 days to measure sleep activity. Participation in this study will take about 120-180 minutes of additional time.

In order to participate in a study please refer to your/your child’s doctor.


Last reviewed

February 19, 2025