Brain Research Assessing Impacts of Neurophysiological Processing Speed Training in Veterans

Running, not enrolling · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Traumatic Brain Injury, Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Aging, Cognitive Decline

In brief

Older veterans with a history of mild brain trauma exhibit early cognitive challenges, especially in driving-related tasks. This is attributed to alterations in the brain's excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance. This pilot project investigates this phenomenon by leveraging electroencephalography (EEG) to measure parietal lobe alpha rhythms during visual attention tasks. The hypothesis is that targeted visual attention training can modulate these alpha rhythms, improving instrumental activities in daily life. However, outcomes from such training vary, possibly due to individual differences in cortical inhibitory functions. This study will assess the relationship between EEG measures of E/I balance pre- and post-visual attention training and its effects on processing speeds in aging veterans. Our findings aim to provide a foundation for customized therapies and interventions for veterans with and without a history of brain trauma.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT06217575
Run by: University of Alabama at Birmingham
People needed: 36
Starts: 2025-07-01
Expected to finish: 2028-04-01
Last updated by the study team: 2026-08-07

Who can join

Age: 50 and older, up to 85. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

Ages: 18-35 (Younger Group); Ages 50-80 (Healthy Older Group); Ages 50-85 (persons with a history of mild traumatic brain injury)
English speaking
Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI):
A history of mTBI confirmed by the Ohio State University TBI Identification Method-Short Form (including a requirement that the mTBI caused a loss of consciousness lasting less than 30 min).
An additional note will be made for Veterans with mTBI with a report of objective or subjective cognitive decline not meeting the criteria (i.e.- Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) >23) for impairment

You may not qualify if…

Failure to provide informed consent
Metal of foreign objects in the body that would interfere with an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or transcranial magnetic stimulations (TMS)
History of penetrating head wounds or a diagnosis of moderate/severe TBI
Participants with significant visual field deficits were excluded, as were those with active suicidal ideation
Suicidal ideation will be assessed with the Columbia suicidality scale (C-SSRS)
Participants with active ideation will be referred to the Veteran Crisis Line (988) (or walked) to the Front Door program at the Birmingham East clinic
Participation in a concurrent clinical trial that could affect study outcome (however, participation in standard treatments e.g. occupational therapy or use of prescribed medications such as antidepressants is acceptable)
Smoker > 1 pack per day
Significant cognitive impairment defined as <23 on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) or diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or dementia
Visual (corrected acuity <20/80) and motor capacity (completion of 9-hole pegboard) to use a computerized intervention
In-patient status
Severe visual impairment, which would preclude completion of the assessments
Progressive, degenerative neurologic disease, e.g., Parkinsons Disease, multiple sclerosis
Severe rheumatologic or orthopedic diseases, e.g., awaiting joint replacement Actively taking GABAergic agonist/antagonist medication (benzodiazepines, gabapentin, etc.)
Terminal illness with a life expectancy of less than 12 months, as determined by a physician
Other significant co-morbid diseases that would impair the ability to participate, e.g. renal failure on hemodialysis, severe psychiatric disorder (e.g. bipolar disorder, schizophrenia), heavy alcohol use (>15 drinks per week); persons with depression will not be excluded
Unable to communicate because of severe hearing loss, speech disorder or language barrier

Where it is running

CH19 933 19th St S — Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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