Brain Research Assessing Impacts of Neurophysiological Processing Speed Training in Veterans
Eligible age
50–85 yrs
Accepts
All genders
Locations
1 state
Healthy volunteers
Yes
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About this study
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.
Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham
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
Where it's recruiting
Birmingham
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT06217575 · last updated 2025-08-29