Intensity-modulated radiation to spare neural stem cells in brain tumors: a computational platform for evaluation of physical and biological dose metrics.

Background: Neurocognitive effects following whole-brain and partial-brain irradiation can cause considerable morbidity. Sparing of neural stem cells (NSCs) is proposed as an avenue for reducing the long-term radiation-induced defects in learning, memory, and intelligence. We performed an analytical study to spare the NSC from partial-brain irradiation by intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).