# Neural Activity Signatures of Tumor Infiltration in the Human Brain

> **NIH NIH R01** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2024 · $619,470

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
In brain cancer, tumor cells form complex interactions with cells in the brain. Recent studies have
revealed a complex interaction between brain cells, or neurons, and tumor cells. Specifically, tumor cells
infiltrate healthy brain tissue inducing increased neuron activity and connectivity, particularly among a one
class of brain cells (excitatory neurons), making brain tissue more excitable in the process. This increase
in excitability is thought to act as an accelerant for increased tumor infiltration into healthy neural tissue.
Conversely, another class of neurons, inhibitory neurons, are degraded during tumor cell infiltration. This
feedback loop leads to further spread of tumor into healthy brain tissue, particularly as the excitation-
inhibition balance essential for normal brain function is tipped toward excitation. This imbalance is thought
to be a reason for 40-80% of glioma patients developing epilepsy. However, this detailed, intricate, and
devastating process of tumor infiltration has only been detailed through studies in non-human animals and
in surgically removed tissue samples, with little to no information on how tumor-induced changes alter
activity in the intact human brain. In addition to FDA-approved clinical electrodes, we propose using
cutting edge high-resolution microelectrodes we pioneered for use in the human operating room to
sample brain activity in, around, and far from tumor. We will use two types: 1) microelectrodes with 1000
channels printed on ultrathin materials to conforming to the surface of the brain; and 2) Neuropixels
probes which are microelectrodes which can record single cell activity across >300 channels along a
probe close to the thickness of a human hair. Recording neural activity altered by tumor infiltration
therefore not only offers unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution relative to current clinical
technologies but also fills a scientific gap in capturing ongoing tumor-induced changes in brain activity in
the intact human brain. The goal is to provide a high-resolution dynamic physiological map of the tumor
and the tumor boundary to better understand tumor infiltration in the intact brain working with patients
already scheduled for neurosurgery for the treatment of tumor following fully informed consent. We predict
the tumor boundary can be identified by physiological signatures possibly providing new diagnostic tools
providing high resolution information for clinical decisions in the future.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10942268
- **Project number:** 1R01NS134410-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** ANGELIQUE C PAULK
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $619,470
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2029-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10942268

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10942268, Neural Activity Signatures of Tumor Infiltration in the Human Brain (1R01NS134410-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10942268. Licensed CC0.

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