For whom?

Patients with a suspected brain tumor in a motor relevant area, who are at least 18 years old.

What is done?

The motor areas of your brain are responsible for planning and executing movements. Impairment of these areas can occur if a tumor is operated in the immediate vicinity of these motor areas. Some scientists believe that this risk can be reduced by repeatedly stimulating motor areas with weak electrical impulses before surgery. This should move motor areas away from the tumor..

How does it work?

To stimulate the motor area, we use "transcranial magnetic stimulation" (TMS). A magnetic pulse is applied to the head from the outside, painlessly triggering a spatially and temporally limited current flow in the brain. This stimulation can cause slight movements of the fingers. In this study, we repeatedly administer a series of these stimulations to temporarily inhibit the motor areas near the tumor from the outside. Directly afterwards, you will perform a brief motor training designed to help shift motor areas.

What effort is involved in participating in the study?

Stimulation is administered for a minimum of 5 days and a maximum of 28 days. The individual duration depends mostlyon your planned surgery date and is determined by us in consultation with your attending neurosurgeon. The stimulation takes about 3 hours a day. During this time, you will receive two stimulation sessions of 30 minutes as well as the motor training for 10 minutes each. Between the two sessions, you will have a break of 1 hour at your free disposal. The rest of the time is needed for preparation and follow-up of each session. We will be happy to help you organize your daily travel to our clinic.

What advantages does participation in the study offer?

The study is primarily intended to investigate the efficacy of rTMS, thus we cannot promise you any individual benefits. Our expectation is that the stimulation will allow a greater proportion of your tumor to be removed without causing impairments to your ability to move. In addition, by participating you will be in close contact with the study staff and will be able to familiarize yourself with the clinic environment.

How is participation in the study possible?

If you are interested in participating, please contact your attending neurosurgeon or a member of the study team for more information.