Personalized rendering of motor system functional plasticity potential to improve glioma resection and quality of life (1° anno)

The main aim of the project is to foster a functional reorganization of the sensorimotor system in patients harboring a glioma involving the brain motor networks, to optimize the chance of achieving a maximal tumor resection without the occurrence of permanent motor deficits to maintain a high patient quality of life. This project will target patients with lower-grade tumors, young and of long survival. As a first step in each patient the spontaneous reorganization of the motor circuits induced by the tumor will be investigated to characterize the individual distinguishing features and to infer the neuroplasticity potential, this being the main factor determining the chance of total resection. As for the motor functions to be preserved, we will focus on hand-skilled movement, the unique humans’ability allowing all the everyday life activites. Loss of hand dexterity is an intolerable disability compromising the quality of life. Preoperative functional plasticity will be then enhanced by submitting patient to up-front personalized motor rehabilitation or chemotherapy, or by the combination of the two treatments. By fostering the development of alternative circuits outside the tumor, the surgeon will have a better chance to achieve a total or supratotal resection, thus impacting on the natural history of the tumor.