Brain Research Assessing Impacts of Neurophysiological Processing Speed Training in Veterans

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.

NCT Number	NCT06217575
Lead Sponsor	University of Alabama at Birmingham Collaborators: Birmingham VA Health Care System
Conditions	Traumatic Brain Injury, Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Aging, Cognitive Decline
Enrollment	36 participants
Start Date	2025-07-01
Primary Completion	2028-01-30 (estimated)
Study Completion	2028-04-01 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-08-07