RECRUITING

Brain Research Assessing Impacts of Neurophysiological Processing Speed Training in Veterans

Conditions

Traumatic Brain Injury Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Aging Cognitive Decline visual attention training useful field of view

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Study Overview

This clinical trial focuses on testing the efficacy of different digital interventions to promote re-engagement in cancer-related long-term follow-up care for adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer.

Description

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.

Official Title

BRAIN-SPEED-VETS: Brain Research Assessing Impacts of Neurophysiological Processing Speed Training in Veterans

Quick Facts

Study Start:2025-07-01

Study Completion:2028-04-01

Study Type:Not specified

Phase:Not Applicable

Enrollment:Not specified

Status:RECRUITING

Study ID

NCT06217575

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Ages Eligible for Study:50 Years to 85 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study:ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:Yes

Standard Ages:ADULT, OLDER_ADULT

Inclusion Criteria	Exclusion Criteria
* 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	* 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

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

* 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

* 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

Contacts and Locations

Study Contact

Keith M McGregor, PhD

CONTACT

2059345149

kmmcgreg@uab.edu

Ashton Weber, BS

CONTACT

2059346942

amweber@uab.edu

Study Locations (Sites)

CH19 933 19th St S

Birmingham, Alabama, 35223

United States

Collaborators and Investigators

Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Study Record Dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates

Study Start Date2025-07-01

Study Completion Date2028-04-01

Study Record Updates

Study Start Date2025-07-01

Study Completion Date2028-04-01

Terms related to this study

Keywords Provided by Researchers

cognitive decline
visual attention training
useful field of view
mild traumatic brain injury
aging

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Traumatic Brain Injury
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Aging
Cognitive Decline