Remote Cognitive Assessment and Wearable Device While Assessing the Impact of Metformin in Patients With History of Cranial Radiation Therapy

This phase III trial evaluates whether patient care can be done remotely for patients having cranial (skull) radiation or who have previously had cranial radiation. In addition, this trial compares study outcomes between patients who get metformin and those who do not. Cranial radiation, an essential component of brain tumor treatment, can result in significant negative effects on cognitive (the ability to clearly think, learn, and remember) function. Wearable devices have been used in the field of neurology for seizure detection and assessment of patients with movement disorders. Wearable device technology has also been implemented for remote monitoring of cancer patients and for cancer clinical trials. Metformin is the active ingredient in a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (a condition in which the body cannot control the level of sugar in the blood). It is also being studied in the treatment of cancer. Use of metformin may reduce risk of cognitive decline following radiation therapy within the skull (intracranial). These effects may be further strengthen by addition of device-based physical activity promotion. Mayo Test Drive is a web-based platform for remote self-administered cognitive assessment. Using Mayo Test Drive may help determine whether patient care can be done remotely, while simultaneously evaluating benefits of health promotion through use of a wearable watch device and metformin in preventing radiation-related cognitive decline.