The Pediatric Brain Tumour Study Group (PBTSG)
at McMaster University is a multidisciplinary cohort dedicated to the clinical advancement of
pediatric brain tumour research.
CLINICALLY
COMPREHENSIVE
Founded in 2015 through the efforts of Dr. Sheila Singh and Dr. Adam Fleming, PBTSG represents the combined efforts of both students and health professionals from a diverse array of programs and specialties to cultivate a holistic and evolving pediatric brain tumor database replete with potential for research queries. Faculty members originate from a myriad of backgrounds, including pediatric neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, nursing, neuro-radiology, radiation oncology, neuro-psychology, occupational and physiotherapy, child life, social work, exercise medicine, nutrition and endocrinology. Through developing the database and attending the pediatric neuro-oncology clinic, medical and undergraduate students seize the initiative to generate novel research projects under the cooperative supervision of faculty. Work has been prolific, and given the enormous opportunity inherent in answering such pressing clinical questions, the productivity of PBTSG is expected to only flourish.
AREAS OF RESEARCH
Operative and Post-Operative Outcomes/ Complications
Given the majority of pediatric brain tumors originate from the posterior fossa, operations for children present unique challenges compared to adult tumors. PBTSG has published studies in the Journal of Neuro-oncology on using neuroradiological correlates to predict cerebellar mutism, and continues to perform novel research here and in other complications of pediatric surgery.
Neuro-Imaging Technologies
Neuro-imaging technologies have matured considerably over the last 50 years, and bear great therapeutic relevance for informing diagnosis, treatment and predicting sequelae. Several ongoing
projects focus on employing neuroradiology to diagnosis neurological diseases such as NF1, or predicting the potential for complications like cerebellar mutism.
Clinical Neurophysiology and Neuroanatomy
Much of our modern understanding of neuro-anatomy has been forged from case studies of patients who had undergone operations and presented with notable sequalue from damage to pivotal brain areas. One of our projects investigates the loss in neuro-cognitive function resulting from posterior fossa surgical resection of portions of the cerebellum, suggesting a relationship between this location and cognition.
Long-term sequelae and Quality of Life
PBTSG represents the accumulation of data on pediatric patients admitted to the McMaster University Medical Centre over the past 30 years. Hence, our group is situated at a unique vantage point for addressing the dearth of research in the long-term complications of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. As the group continues to evolve and accumulate data, future potential projects will include assessing the long term impact of tumors and their treatments.
ONGOING PROJECTS
PBTSG continues to develop novel research topics on clinical facets of pediatric brain tumours, with ongoing studies ranging from long-term neurocognitive outcomes in radiation-treated medulloblastoma patients, to associations between neurofibrmatosis 1 and brain imaging features. Through maintenance of a clinical data repository and collaboration with a diverse team of healthcare professionals, PBTSG finely demonstrates the passion and importance underlying pediatric brain tumour research.