MRI Study of Radiation-Induced Damage to White Matter and Blood-Brain-Barrier

Patients will be assigned to one of two groups based on the type of radiation they will be
receiving: whole brain irradiation or partial brain irradiation. Patients will undergo
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) assessments, neurocognitive testing (Quality of Life and
Neuropsychological assessments), and clinical evaluation.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients receiving partial brain irradiation for malignant or benign brain tumors
(including low-grade gliomas, high-grade gliomas, malignant meningioma, pituitary
adenomas, supratentorial meningioma, or craniopharyngiomas); or patients receiving
whole brain irradiation for brain metastases.

- Patients must be 18 years of age or older

- Patients must sign a study specific consent form approved by the Institutional Review
Board (IRB) of the University of Michigan prior to study entry.

- Patients must have a neurological function class 1 or 2 with a Karnofsky performance
status (a scoring system used to quantify general well being and quality of life on a
scale of 100 to 0) of greater than or equal to 70.

- Patients must have an expected life expectancy of greater than 6 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients with a history of major medical illness or psychiatric impairment which, in
the investigator's opinion, will prevent administration of the protocol.

- Patients who have had prior external beam irradiation to the brain or head/neck area
that will lead to overlap of the radiation field.

- Patients should have no contraindications to having a contrast enhanced Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan.

- Prisoners are excluded.

- Pregnant women are excluded.