About this study
This study uses functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure brain oxygen use and brain activity in patients with sickle cell anemia. Scientists want to find out if fNIRS can find differences in:
- Brain activity
- How the brain uses oxygen
Scientists will compare the results from patients and their siblings. This will help us understand how well this technology works.
Patients and siblings will take a test that measures thinking skills such as language, attention and memory. During the tests, they will wear a cap with wires that connect to a laptop computer. After the cap is removed, they will do a final set of tasks on the computer.
Parents will answer questions on a form.
Details that scientists learn from this study may help other patients in the future.
Eligibility overview
This clinical trial is open only to patients at the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and their siblings.
St. Jude Patients
- 8 to 17 years old
- Sickle cell anemia
- Treated with hydroxyurea
- Enrolled in the Sickle Cell Clinical Research Intervention Program (SCCRIP) clinical trial
- Have completed Sickle Cell Assessment of Neuropsychology Skills (SCANS) assessment
- Read and speak English
Siblings
- Siblings of St. Jude patients with sickle cell disease
- Do not have sickle cell disease
- 8 to 17 years old