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RECRUITINGINTERVENTIONAL

Brain Research Assessing Impacts of Neurophysiological Processing Speed Training in Veterans

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

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

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.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: 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 Who Should NOT Join This Trial: Failure to provide willing to sign a consent form - 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 ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: 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 Exclusion Criteria: 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

Treatments Being Tested

BEHAVIORAL

Alpha neurofeedback training

Alpha neurofeedback training affords the participant the ability to monitor cortical EEG waves and entrain to a specific rhythm using visual feedback. Alpha is measured between 8-12Hz and is associated with cortical inhibition. Aging related changes in alpha have been associated with loss of modulation ability. However, alpha training may afford increased perception of visual details.

BEHAVIORAL

Visual Attention Training

Visual attention training involves repeated testing on the location and identity of objects in the visual field. Also called the "Dual Decision" task training, objects are briefly presented in a radial field of view surrounding a gaze fixation point. The participant is asked to remember the location and object presented within the field. The test progressively increases in difficulty by limiting the amount of time the object is presented on screen. Accuracy is measured by either a correct or incorrect response (binary response).

Locations (1)

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