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RecruitingNCT07488780Updated Sep 29, 2026

Language Network Prehab Via fMRI Neurofeedback

An interventional study of fMRI in Glioma and Glioma Surgery, sponsored by Yale University. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-29.

Sponsored by Yale University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Device feasibility

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
4
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This is an interventional neuroimaging study that will examine whether fMRI neurofeedback can shift language network activity away from regions affected by glioma prior to surgery.

Read the detailed description

The primary objective of this study is to establish the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a brief, device-based fMRI neurofeedback (NF) intervention during the standard presurgical window in patients with WHO grade II-III gliomas involving eloquent language cortex.

The secondary objectives of this study are to obtain preliminary mechanistic and behavioral data regarding the effects of fMRI NF-based prehabilitation on language network organization and language performance. These secondary objectives are exploratory and intended to inform the design of a future randomized clinical trial.

The intervention will be conducted during the standard preoperative window and will not alter or delay clinical care. All participants will receive the same neurofeedback intervention as the primary goal of this study is to establish feasibility and generate pilot data. The study involves repeated within-subject assessments, including baseline and post-intervention neuropsychological testing and task-based fMRI measures, allowing each participant to serve as their own reference point for exploratory analyses.

02

Conditions studied

  • Glioma
  • Glioma Surgery

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Keywords

  • fMRI
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Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
  • Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
  • Diagnosis of WHO grade II-III glioma involving eloquent language cortex
  • Scheduled for surgical resection
  • MRI-compatible
  • Ability to perform the simple language tasks required for fMRI and neurofeedback
  • Residence within 2 hours of Yale MRRC and ability and willingness to make multiple visits for study participation

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Severe baseline aphasia precluding task performance
  • Contraindications to MRI
  • Significant cognitive/psychiatric comorbidity limiting compliance
  • Concurrent enrollment in other interventional trials
  • Claustrophobia of a degree that they cannot comfortably be scanned
  • Inability or unwillingness to understand or follow the instructions
  • Pregnancy or possible pregnancy
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Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Device feasibility
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
4 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    fMRI neurofeedback (NF) and Glioma

    All participants will receive an fMRI NF intervention delivered as a presurgical prehabilitation strategy involving eloquent language cortex. The intervention will be conducted during the standard preoperative window and will not alter or delay clinical care. The study involves repeated within-subject assessments, including baseline and post-intervention neuropsychological testing and task-based fMRI measures.

    Device: fMRI

Interventions

  • DevicefMRI

    Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) neurofeedback (NF)

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What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of participants enrolled to assess feasibility

    Number of participants enrolled out of all screened

    Time frame: up to 6 months

  2. Number of participants completing all study visits to assess feasibility

    Number of participants completing all study visits within the standard presurgical window

    Time frame: From initial neurosurgical evaluation to scheduled tumor resection, 7-10 days

  3. Number of device-related adverse events to assess safety

    Number of device-related adverse events

    Time frame: From initial neurosurgical evaluation to scheduled tumor resection, 7-10 days

  4. Mean score Patient Experience Questionnaire (PEQ) to assess acceptability

    Participant-reported acceptability and perceived burden as measured by the Patient Experience Questionnaire (PEQ). Total score range 1-5 with higher scores indicating better experiences.

    Time frame: Post surgery at 10 days

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Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • Yale School of Medicine
    New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
    Recruiting
07

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07488780
Lead sponsor
Yale University
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Mar 23, 2026
Start date
Aug 1, 2026
Primary completion
Dec 2026 (estimated)
Completion
Dec 2026 (estimated)
Last update
Sep 29, 2026

Study contacts

Luca Pasquini, MD, PhD
Contact
luca.pasquini@yale.edu
203-688-2433
Luca Pasquini, MD, PhD
principal investigator · Yale School of Medicin
Michelle Hampson, PhD
principal investigator · Yale University

Oversight

FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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