RATIONALE: Diagnostic procedures, such as magnetic resonance imaging, may help doctors predict a patient's response to treatment and help plan the best treatment. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying magnetic resonance imaging in response to radiation therapy in patients with high grade glioma.

Detailed DescriptionOBJECTIVES:

I. To develop a multimodality statistical model to act as a surrogate marker scheme of early changes in high grade glioma patients undergoing radiation therapy, using conventional MRI, MR diffusion tensor imaging, perfusion, permeability, and spectroscopic imaging while incorporating the radiation dose calculations delivered locally and the results of a clinical questionnaire into the model.

II. To assess treatment response to tumor and normal tissue changes. OUTLINE: Patients undergo multimodality MRI imaging at baseline, weeks 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6, and then 4-6 weeks after completion of radiation therapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients being treated for diagnosed with high grade glioma (WHO grade III or IV) at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center who will be undergoing radiation therapy to the brain
• Patient or legal representative able to provide written informed consent
• Adult males and nonpregnant females

Exclusion Criteria:

• Vulnerable populations as specified (including pregnant patients, prisoners, patients with pacemakers or metallic implants)
• Patients with renal failure
• Patients with any condition considered a contraindication to MRI