Fatigue, Sleep and Cytokines in Primary Brain Tumor (PBT) Patients
Fatigue, Sleep and Cytokines in Primary Brain Tumor (PBT) Patients
This goal of this research study is to learn more about fatigue, sleep quality, and other
 symptoms in patients with primary brain tumors who are being treated with radiation therapy.

 Objectives:

 PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

 1. The primary objective of this study is to provide preliminary data describing the severity
 and change over time in fatigue using the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) during radiation
 therapy for patients with primary gliomas.

 SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

 1. To evaluate longitudinal changes in the severity of symptoms and the mean symptom burden
 as measured by the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory-Brain Tumor Module (MDASI-BT) and
 mood using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) during radiation therapy.

 2. To assess alterations in circadian rhythms using actigraphy during radiation therapy and
 the association with sleep quality tools - Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the
 Epworth Sleepiness Scale(ESS), and the severity of BFI and MDASI-BT scores over time.

 3. To explore the association between the levels of salivary hormones (melatonin and
 cortisol) and the occurrence of fatigue and symptom burden.
Questionnaires:

 If you decide to take part in this study, before starting radiation therapy, weekly during
 radiation therapy, and again 3-4 weeks and 6-8 weeks after completing radiation therapy, you
 will complete 4 questionnaires. Three (3) of the questionnaires will be completed during a
 study visit, and the last 1 will be completed at home the next time you come into the clinic.
 You will return the questionnaire completed at home to the study doctor at a study visit. The
 questionnaires will ask questions about fatigue, any symptoms you may have, and your sleeping
 habits. It should take about 30 minutes total to complete all of the questionnaires each
 time.

 Sleep Diary:

 You will complete a sleep diary. The sleep diary will be provided to you before starting
 radiation therapy. You will record information in it about your sleep habits, caffeinated
 beverages and drugs you may take, the quality of your sleep, and how you feel when you wake
 up. You will complete the sleep diary during the 48 hours that you are wearing the actigraphy
 watch. You will bring the sleep diary to the clinic every week for the study doctor to
 review.

 Actigraphy Watch:

 You will wear an actigraphy watch on your wrist for 48 hours before starting radiation
 therapy, for 48 hours each week during radiation therapy, and again for 48 hours 3-4 weeks
 and 6-8 weeks after completing radiation therapy. The actigraphy watch will measure your
 activity during the day and night. You will bring the actigraphy watch to the clinic every
 week for the study doctor to review.

 Saliva Collection:

 You will collect a saliva sample four times during the day before starting radiation therapy,
 one time during the third and last week of radiation therapy, and again 3-4 weeks and 6-8
 weeks after completing radiation therapy. These samples will be used to measure levels of
 neurotransmitters and hormone levels. These are substances which are released in the body
 that may affect sleep and the immune system.

 Length of Study:

 You will remain on study for about 8 weeks after you complete radiation therapy.

 This is an investigational study. Up to 20 patients will take part in this study. All will be
 enrolled at M.D. Anderson.
Inclusion Criteria:

 1. A new diagnosis of a primary glioma, astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma,
 oligo-astrocytoma, ependymoma, tanycytic ependymoma, anaplastic astrocytoma,
 anaplastic oligodendroglioma, anaplastic oligo-astrocytoma, anaplastic ependymoma

 2. Radiation therapy as part of the plan of care

 3. Age >/= 18 years of age. Children are excluded from this study because of differences
 in tumor location and biology with differing symptom clusters. A separate study will
 be conducted in the future with children.

 4. Ability to speak, write, and read English

 5. On corticosteroids at the initiation of radiation therapy.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 1. Tumors involving the suprasellar region, including the pituitary and hypothalamus

 2. Cognitive deficits which limit ability to self-report symptoms.