Central Nervous System CarcinomaPhase 3NCT04939597
A Study to See if Memantine Protects the Brain During Radiation Therapy Treatment for a Brain Tumor
A Phase 3 study testing Biospecimen Collection, Cognitive Assessment and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in people with Central Nervous System Carcinoma, run by Children's Oncology Group at 138 sites in 2 countries.
Trial summary
This phase III trial compares memantine to placebo in treating patients with primary central nervous system tumors. Memantine may block receptors (parts of nerve cells) in the brain known to contribute to a decline in cognitive function. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 4 to 17 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Central Nervous System Carcinoma
- What is being tested?
- Biospecimen Collection, Cognitive Assessment and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine, Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 162 participants
- Where
- 138 sitesin 2 countries
- Study dates
- 10 May 2022to 30 Sep 2027
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 4 to 17 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- >= 4 and < 18 years at time of study entry
- Patients must weigh 15 kg or greater at time of study entry
- Primary central nervous system tumors that have not received prior cranial radiotherapy
- Planned focal, cranial or craniospinal radiation treatment for a primary central nervous system tumor
- The patient must have receptive and expressive language skills in English, French or Spanish since the neurocognitive function and quality of life (QOL) assessment instruments are available in these languages only
- Creatinine clearance or radioisotope glomerular filtration rate (GFR) >= 70 mL/min/1.73 m^2 or a serum creatinine based on age/sex as follows:
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- Age: 4 to < 6 years; Maximum serum creatinine (mg/dL): 0.8 male; 0.8 female
- Age: 6 to < 10 years; Maximum serum creatinine (mg/dL): 1 male; 1 female
- Age: 10 to < 13 years; Maximum serum creatinine (mg/dL): 1.2 male; 1.2 female
- Age: 13 to < 16 years; Maximum serum creatinine (mg/dL): 1.5 male; 1.4 female
- Age: >= 16 years; Maximum serum creatinine (mg/dL): 1.7 male; 1.4 female
- Total bilirubin =< 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) for age
- Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) (alanine aminotransferase [ALT]) =< 135 U/L
- Note: For the purpose of this study, the ULN for SGPT (ALT) has been set to the value of 45 U/L
- The patient must be able to undergo magnetic resonance imaging
- All patients and/or their parents or legal guardians must sign a written informed consent
- All institutional, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and National Cancer Institute (NCI) requirements for human studies must be met
Who cannot join
- Life expectancy of less than 18 months
- Pre-existing conditions:
- Any contraindication or allergy to study drug (memantine or placebo)
- Intractable seizures while on adequate anticonvulsant therapy, defined as more than one seizure per month for the past 2 months or since initiating anticonvulsant therapy
- History of neurodevelopmental disorder such as Down syndrome, Fragile X, William's Syndrome, intellectual disability (presumed intelligence quotient [IQ] < 70), etc
- Co-morbid systemic illnesses, psychiatric conditions, social situations, or other severe concurrent disease which, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for entry into this study or interfere significantly with the proper assessment of safety and toxicity of the prescribed regimens or would limit compliance with the study requirements
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- Patients with a motor, visual, or auditory condition that precludes participation in computerized neurocognitive assessments
- Patients with any medical condition or taking medications that lead to alterations of urine pH towards the alkaline condition (e.g., renal tubular acidosis, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, sodium bicarbonate)
- Personal history of prior cranial or craniospinal radiotherapy is not allowed
- Note: Prior anti-cancer therapy including surgery, chemotherapy, targeted agents are allowed as per standard of care clinical treatment guidelines
- Female patients who are pregnant are excluded since fetal toxicities and teratogenic effects have been noted for the study drug. A pregnancy test is required for female patients of childbearing potential
- Lactating females who plan to breastfeed their infants
- Sexually active patients of reproductive potential who do not agree to use an effective contraceptive method for the duration of their study participation
Trial locations and contacts
138 sites in 2 countries.
138 sites in 2 countries
United States137 sites
Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron
Akron, Ohio, 44308
Albany Medical Center
Albany, New York, 12208
Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest
Allentown, Pennsylvania, 18103
Providence Alaska Medical Center
Anchorage, Alaska, 99508
C S Mott Children's Hospital
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109
Mission Hospital
Asheville, North Carolina, 28801
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta - Arthur M Blank Hospital
Atlanta, Georgia, 30329
Children's Hospital Colorado
Aurora, Colorado, 80045
Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas
Austin, Texas, 78723
Sinai Hospital of Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland, 21215
Johns Hopkins University/Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center
Baltimore, Maryland, 21287
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, 20889-5600
Children's Hospital of Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama, 35233
Saint Luke's Cancer Institute - Boise
Boise, Idaho, 83712
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts, 02215
Maimonides Medical Center
Brooklyn, New York, 11219
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Buffalo, New York, 14263
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599
Carolinas Medical Center/Levine Cancer Institute
Charlotte, North Carolina, 28203
University of Virginia Cancer Center
Charlottesville, Virginia, 22908
University of Illinois
Chicago, Illinois, 60612
University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center
Chicago, Illinois, 60637
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229
Rainbow Babies and Childrens Hospital
Cleveland, Ohio, 44106
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Cleveland, Ohio, 44195
University of Missouri Children's Hospital
Columbia, Missouri, 65212
Prisma Health Richland Hospital
Columbia, South Carolina, 29203
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Columbus, Ohio, 43205
Medical City Dallas Hospital
Dallas, Texas, 75230
UT Southwestern/Simmons Cancer Center-Dallas
Dallas, Texas, 75390
Geisinger Medical Center
Danville, Pennsylvania, 17822
Dayton Children's Hospital
Dayton, Ohio, 45404
Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children-Presbyterian Saint Luke's Medical Center
Denver, Colorado, 80218
Blank Children's Hospital
Des Moines, Iowa, 50309
Children's Hospital of Michigan
Detroit, Michigan, 48201
Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center
Downey, California, 90242
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, North Carolina, 27710
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan, 48823
El Paso Children's Hospital
El Paso, Texas, 79905
Sanford Broadway Medical Center
Fargo, North Dakota, 58122
Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida
Fort Myers, Florida, 33908
Cook Children's Medical Center
Fort Worth, Texas, 76104
UF Health Cancer Institute - Gainesville
Gainesville, Florida, 32610
Corewell Health Grand Rapids Hospitals - Helen DeVos Children's Hospital
Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina, 27834
BI-LO Charities Children's Cancer Center
Greenville, South Carolina, 29605
Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack, New Jersey, 07601
Connecticut Children's Medical Center
Hartford, Connecticut, 06106
Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children
Honolulu, Hawaii, 96826
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030
Riley Hospital for Children
Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202
University of Iowa/Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
Iowa City, Iowa, 52242
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Jackson, Mississippi, 39216
Nemours Children's Clinic-Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida, 32207
Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics
Kansas City, Missouri, 64108
East Tennessee Childrens Hospital
Knoxville, Tennessee, 37916
Alliance for Childhood Diseases/Cure 4 the Kids Foundation
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89135
Summerlin Hospital Medical Center
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89144
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center/Dartmouth Cancer Center
Lebanon, New Hampshire, 03756
Arkansas Children's Hospital
Little Rock, Arkansas, 72202-3591
Loma Linda University Medical Center
Loma Linda, California, 92354
Miller Children's and Women's Hospital Long Beach
Long Beach, California, 90806
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, 90027
Norton Children's Hospital
Louisville, Kentucky, 40202
Valley Children's Hospital
Madera, California, 93636
University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center - University Hospital
Madison, Wisconsin, 53792
Marshfield Medical Center-Marshfield
Marshfield, Wisconsin, 54449
Loyola University Medical Center
Maywood, Illinois, 60153
Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, Tennessee, 38105
Banner Children's at Desert
Mesa, Arizona, 85202
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine-Sylvester Cancer Center
Miami, Florida, 33136
Nicklaus Children's Hospital
Miami, Florida, 33155
Miami Cancer Institute
Miami, Florida, 33176
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226
Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55404
West Virginia University Healthcare
Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506
Morristown Medical Center
Morristown, New Jersey, 07960
The Children's Hospital at TriStar Centennial
Nashville, Tennessee, 37203
Vanderbilt University/Ingram Cancer Center
Nashville, Tennessee, 37232
Saint Peter's University Hospital
New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08903
The Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York
New Hyde Park, New York, 11040
Children's Hospital New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana, 70118
Ochsner Medical Center Jefferson
New Orleans, Louisiana, 70121
Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone
New York, New York, 10016
Mount Sinai Hospital
New York, New York, 10029
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York, 10065
Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters
Norfolk, Virginia, 23507
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland
Oakland, California, 94609
Kaiser Permanente-Oakland
Oakland, California, 94611
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104
Children's Hospital and Medical Center of Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska, 68114
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska, 68198
Children's Hospital of Orange County
Orange, California, 92868
AdventHealth Orlando
Orlando, Florida, 32803
Nemours Children's Hospital
Orlando, Florida, 32827
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford University
Palo Alto, California, 94304
Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Center
Paterson, New Jersey, 07503
OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois
Peoria, Illinois, 61637
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104
Saint Christopher's Hospital for Children
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19134
Phoenix Childrens Hospital
Phoenix, Arizona, 85016
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15224
Legacy Emanuel Children's Hospital
Portland, Oregon, 97227
Oregon Health and Science University
Portland, Oregon, 97239
Rhode Island Hospital
Providence, Rhode Island, 02903
VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
Richmond, Virginia, 23298
Carilion Children's
Roanoke, Virginia, 24014
Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota, 55905
Corewell Health Children's
Royal Oak, Michigan, 48073
Primary Children's Hospital
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84113
Children's Hospital of San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas, 78207
Methodist Children's Hospital of South Texas
San Antonio, Texas, 78229
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas, 78229
Rady Children's Hospital - San Diego
San Diego, California, 92123
UCSF Medical Center-Mission Bay
San Francisco, California, 94158
Maine Children's Cancer Program
Scarborough, Maine, 04074
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, Washington, 98105
Sanford USD Medical Center - Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57117-5134
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children's Hospital
Spokane, Washington, 99204
Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center
St Louis, Missouri, 63104
Washington University School of Medicine
St Louis, Missouri, 63110
Mercy Hospital Saint Louis
St Louis, Missouri, 63141
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
St. Petersburg, Florida, 33701
Stony Brook University Medical Center
Stony Brook, New York, 11794
State University of New York Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, New York, 13210
Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and Health Center
Tacoma, Washington, 98405
Madigan Army Medical Center
Tacoma, Washington, 98431
Tampa General Hospital
Tampa, Florida, 33606
Saint Joseph's Hospital/Children's Hospital-Tampa
Tampa, Florida, 33607
Montefiore Medical Center - Moses Campus
The Bronx, New York, 10467
ProMedica Toledo Hospital/Russell J Ebeid Children's Hospital
Toledo, Ohio, 43606
Banner University Medical Center - Tucson
Tucson, Arizona, 85719
Children's National Medical Center
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20010
Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children
Wilmington, Delaware, 19803
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157
About this study
Official title: A Phase 3 Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Evaluating Memantine for Neurocognitive Protection in Children Undergoing Cranial Radiotherapy as Part of Treatment for Primary Central Nervous System Tumors
This phase III trial compares memantine to placebo in treating patients with primary central nervous system tumors. Memantine may block receptors (parts of nerve cells) in the brain known to contribute to a decline in cognitive function. Giving memantine may make a difference in cognitive function (attention, memory, or other thought processes) in children and adolescents receiving brain radiation therapy to treat a primary central nervous system tumors.
Read the detailed description
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:
- To determine the efficacy, as measured by the slope of change of the Cogstate composite Z score from baseline to 12 months, of oral memantine hydrochloride (memantine) administered for a period of 6 months, when compared to placebo, in children ages 4-18 receiving cranial or craniospinal radiotherapy for primary central nervous system tumors.
EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:
- To determine if memantine is associated with improved cognitive function as measured for participants in the optional Children's Oncology Group (COG) Standardized Battery at 12 months.
II. To determine if memantine is associated with change in cognitive function versus (vs.) placebo as measured by Cogstate composite score at end of radiation therapy (RT), 3 and 6 months.
III. To determine if memantine is associated with differences in cognitive function vs. placebo as measured by Cogstate composite score at 24 and 48 months for participants in the optional COG Standardized Battery.
IV. To correlate early cognitive changes (end of RT, 3, 6, 12 months Cogstate composite score) with late cognitive function (24 and 48 months Cogstate composite score).
- To correlate COG Standardized Battery scores to Cogstate composite scores at 12, 24, and 48 months.
VI. To estimate the 36-month disease-free and overall survival (of primary brain tumor) after memantine treatment compared to placebo.
VII. To correlate changes in quantitative volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements of critical brain regions with cognitive function over time.
VIII. To evaluate impact of memantine versus placebo on molecular biomarkers associated with cognitive decline after radiotherapy.
IX. To determine whether oral memantine, when compared to placebo, is associated with reduction in the incidence of decline of composite Cogstate score at 12 months in children ages 4-18 receiving cranial radiotherapy for primary central nervous system tumors.
OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.
ARM I: Patients receive memantine hydrochloride orally (PO) once daily (QD) for week 1 and then twice daily (BID) for weeks 2-24 in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also complete cognitive testing over 20-30 minutes at baseline, end of radiation therapy, and at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 months. Patients undergo MRI and may optionally undergo blood sample collection throughout the trial.
ARM II: Patients receive placebo PO QD for week 1 and then BID for weeks 2-24 in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also complete cognitive testing over 20-30 minutes at baseline, end of radiation therapy, and at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 months. Patients undergo MRI and may optionally undergo blood sample collection throughout the trial.
- Conditions
- Central Nervous System Carcinoma
- Being tested
- Biospecimen Collection, Cognitive Assessment, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Memantine Hydrochloride, Placebo Administration
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Biospecimen CollectionProcedure or surgery
Also called Biological Sample Collection, Biospecimen Collected, Sample Collection, Specimen Collection
Undergo blood sample collection
Cognitive AssessmentProcedure or surgery
Complete cognitive testing
Magnetic Resonance ImagingProcedure or surgery
Also called Magnetic Resonance, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Magnetic resonance imaging (procedure), Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan
Undergo MRI
Memantine HydrochlorideDrug
Also called Ebixia, Namenda
Given PO
Placebo AdministrationDrug
Given PO
Questionnaire AdministrationOther
Ancillary studies
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Arm I (memantine hydrochloride) | Experimental | Patients receive memantine hydrochloride orally PO QD for week 1 and then BID for weeks 2-24 in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also complete cognitive testing over 20-30 minutes at baseline, end of radiation therapy, and at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 months. Patients undergo MRI and may optionally undergo blood sample collection throughout the trial. Receives: Procedure: Biospecimen Collection; Procedure: Cognitive Assessment; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Drug: Memantine Hydrochloride; Other: Questionnaire Administration |
| Arm II (placebo) | Placebo comparator | Patients receive placebo PO QD for week 1 and then BID for weeks 2-24 in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also complete cognitive testing over 20-30 minutes at baseline, end of radiation therapy, and at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 months. Patients undergo MRI and may optionally undergo blood sample collection throughout the trial. Receives: Procedure: Biospecimen Collection; Procedure: Cognitive Assessment; Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Drug: Placebo Administration; Other: Questionnaire Administration |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The mean slope of the Cogstate composite Z score (an average of detection, Identification, and one-back Z scores, each Z score calculated using Cogstate age-based normative data)
Estimate the difference in mean Cogstate composite Z score slopes (reflecting change in Cogstate composite Z scores from baseline to 12 months post baseline taking into account measurements at those time points as well as end of radiation therapy and 3 and 6-months post baseline) between the treatment and control arms using a generalized estimating equation model with compound symmetry correlation structure. Will provide a point estimate and corresponding 95% confidence interval.
Measured: Up-to 12 months post baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Jun 2021
- Study start10 May 2022
- Primary completion30 Jun 2026
- Study completion30 Sep 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Central Nervous System CarcinomaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Children's Oncology GroupThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 162 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Children's Oncology Group
- Sponsor type
- Research network
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Nadia N Laack, Principal investigator, Children's Oncology Group
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04939597
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- ACCL2031
- Other IDs
- NCI-2020-07502, ACCL2031, COG-ACCL2031, ACCL2031, U01CA246568, U24CA196173, UG1CA189955
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 1 Oct 2020
- Last updated
- 13 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Phase 3 Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Evaluating Memantine for Neurocognitive Protection in Children Undergoing Cranial Radiotherapy as Part of Treatment for Primary Central Nervous System Tumors
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04939597
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ACCL2031
- Conditions
- Central Nervous System Carcinoma
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 162 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Children's Oncology GroupResearch network
- Study start
- 10 May 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Sep 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 25 Jun 2021 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This phase III trial compares memantine to placebo in treating patients with primary central nervous system tumors. Memantine may block receptors (parts of nerve cells) in the brain known to contribute to a decline in cognitive function. Giving memantine may make a difference in cognitive function (attention, memory, or other thought processes) in children and adolescents receiving brain radiation therapy to treat a primary central nervous system tumors.
Detailed description
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:
- To determine the efficacy, as measured by the slope of change of the Cogstate composite Z score from baseline to 12 months, of oral memantine hydrochloride (memantine) administered for a period of 6 months, when compared to placebo, in children ages 4-18 receiving cranial or craniospinal radiotherapy for primary central nervous system tumors.
EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:
- To determine if memantine is associated with improved cognitive function as measured for participants in the optional Children's Oncology Group (COG) Standardized Battery at 12 months.
II. To determine if memantine is associated with change in cognitive function versus (vs.) placebo as measured by Cogstate composite score at end of radiation therapy (RT), 3 and 6 months.
III. To determine if memantine is associated with differences in cognitive function vs. placebo as measured by Cogstate composite score at 24 and 48 months for participants in the optional COG Standardized Battery.
IV. To correlate early cognitive changes (end of RT, 3, 6, 12 months Cogstate composite score) with late cognitive function (24 and 48 months Cogstate composite score).
- To correlate COG Standardized Battery scores to Cogstate composite scores at 12, 24, and 48 months.
VI. To estimate the 36-month disease-free and overall survival (of primary brain tumor) after memantine treatment compared to placebo.
VII. To correlate changes in quantitative volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements of critical brain regions with cognitive function over time.
VIII. To evaluate impact of memantine versus placebo on molecular biomarkers associated with cognitive decline after radiotherapy.
IX. To determine whether oral memantine, when compared to placebo, is associated with reduction in the incidence of decline of composite Cogstate score at 12 months in children ages 4-18 receiving cranial radiotherapy for primary central nervous system tumors.
OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.
ARM I: Patients receive memantine hydrochloride orally (PO) once daily (QD) for week 1 and then twice daily (BID) for weeks 2-24 in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also complete cognitive testing over 20-30 minutes at baseline, end of radiation therapy, and at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 months. Patients undergo MRI and may optionally undergo blood sample collection throughout the trial.
ARM II: Patients receive placebo PO QD for week 1 and then BID for weeks 2-24 in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also complete cognitive testing over 20-30 minutes at baseline, end of radiation therapy, and at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 months. Patients undergo MRI and may optionally undergo blood sample collection throughout the trial.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Arm I (memantine hydrochloride) | Experimental | Procedure: Biospecimen Collection, Procedure: Cognitive Assessment, Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Drug: Memantine Hydrochloride, Other: Questionnaire AdministrationPatients receive memantine hydrochloride orally PO QD for week 1 and then BID for weeks 2-24 in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also complete cognitive testing over 20-30 minutes at baseline, end of radiation therapy, and at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 months. Patients undergo MRI and may optionally undergo blood sample collection throughout the trial. |
| Arm II (placebo) | Placebo comparator | Procedure: Biospecimen Collection, Procedure: Cognitive Assessment, Procedure: Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Drug: Placebo Administration, Other: Questionnaire AdministrationPatients receive placebo PO QD for week 1 and then BID for weeks 2-24 in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also complete cognitive testing over 20-30 minutes at baseline, end of radiation therapy, and at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 months. Patients undergo MRI and may optionally undergo blood sample collection throughout the trial. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 4 to 17 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (17 listed)
- >= 4 and < 18 years at time of study entry
- Patients must weigh 15 kg or greater at time of study entry
- Primary central nervous system tumors that have not received prior cranial radiotherapy
- Planned focal, cranial or craniospinal radiation treatment for a primary central nervous system tumor
- The patient must have receptive and expressive language skills in English, French or Spanish since the neurocognitive function and quality of life (QOL) assessment instruments are available in these languages only
Key exclusion criteria (13 listed)
- Life expectancy of less than 18 months
- Pre-existing conditions:
- Personal history of prior cranial or craniospinal radiotherapy is not allowed
- Female patients who are pregnant are excluded since fetal toxicities and teratogenic effects have been noted for the study drug. A pregnancy test is required for female patients of childbearing potential
- Lactating females who plan to breastfeed their infants
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Biospecimen CollectionAlso: Biological Sample Collection, Biospecimen Collected, Sample Collection, Specimen CollectionUndergo blood sample collection | Procedure or surgery | Arm I (memantine hydrochloride), Arm II (placebo) |
| Cognitive AssessmentComplete cognitive testing | Procedure or surgery | Arm I (memantine hydrochloride), Arm II (placebo) |
| Magnetic Resonance ImagingAlso: Magnetic Resonance, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Magnetic resonance imaging (procedure), Magnetic Resonance Imaging ScanUndergo MRI | Procedure or surgery | Arm I (memantine hydrochloride), Arm II (placebo) |
| Memantine HydrochlorideAlso: Ebixia, NamendaGiven PO | Drug | Arm I (memantine hydrochloride) |
| Placebo AdministrationGiven PO | Drug | Arm II (placebo) |
| Questionnaire AdministrationAncillary studies | Other | Arm I (memantine hydrochloride), Arm II (placebo) |
Primary outcome
The mean slope of the Cogstate composite Z score (an average of detection, Identification, and one-back Z scores, each Z score calculated using Cogstate age-based normative data)
Time frame: Up-to 12 months post baseline
Estimate the difference in mean Cogstate composite Z score slopes (reflecting change in Cogstate composite Z scores from baseline to 12 months post baseline taking into account measurements at those time points as well as end of radiation therapy and 3 and 6-months post baseline) between the treatment and control arms using a generalized estimating equation model with compound symmetry correlation structure. Will provide a point estimate and corresponding 95% confidence interval.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 Jul 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Nadia N Laack principal investigator
Children's Oncology Group
138 sites in 2 countries: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 3 study testing Biospecimen Collection, Cognitive Assessment and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in people with Central Nervous System Carcinoma, run by Children's Oncology Group at 138 sites in 2 countries.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 17 inclusion and 13 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 138 sites in United States, Puerto Rico. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
The mean slope of the Cogstate composite Z score (an average of detection, Identification, and one-back Z scores, each Z score calculated using Cogstate age-based normative data) (time frame: Up-to 12 months post baseline). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Jul 2026.