Language and EEG characteristics in brain tumour patients

Brain tumours can cause language deficits that affect the quality of life. These language deficits do not always recover after brain tumour surgery. Previous studies related slow-wave brain activity and neural network characteristics to cognitive functioning in brain tumour patients, but the relation between brain activity and functional networks on one hand and language functioning on the other has not been investigated yet. The current study aims to find predictors for language outcome after surgery of a low-grade glioma or meningioma, by using resting-state electroencephalography (EEG). This will aid patient counselling and suitable language intervention can start earlier. Furthermore, the outcomes can have implications for and the application of sensitive intra-operative language tests in order to avoid even minor language problems. This is essential for the preservation of the quality of life in brain tumour patients as their survival rate after surgery is relatively long.



Patients will be recruited at two medical centers in the Netherlands: the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) and the Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam (EMC).

Objectives:

- Investigating the relation between language functioning and resting-state EEG (slow-wave brain activity and functional network characteristics) in brain tumour patients.

- Predicting language outcome after brain tumour surgery, on the basis of pre-operative EEG characteristics.

We expect that slow-wave brain activity and functional network characteristics are associated with language functioning in brain tumour patients. Furthermore, we hypothesize that these EEG characteristics can predict language outcome after brain tumour surgery. The outcomes can improve the procedure in and around brain tumour surgery to avoid even minor language problems. This is important, because the ability to use language is crucial for participation in society and the quality of life.

- Patient groups: before surgery, 1.5-3 months after and 1 year after surgery

- Control group: once

NA; this is a longitudinal observational study. No intervention is applied by the researchers, only assessments.

- The patient groups will get an EEG recording, language assessment, a few neuropsychological tests, and questionnaires before surgery. The language assessment, neuropsychological tests, and questionnaires will be repeated twice after surgery: 1.5-3 months and 1 year post-operatively.

- The control group will be assessed with an EEG recording, a spontaneous speech interview and a questionnaire.