Brain Research Assessing Impacts of Neurophysiological Processing Speed Training in Veterans

Part of paid clinical trials in Birmingham, Alabama.

Sponsor
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Study ID
NCT06217575
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Aging
  • Cognitive Decline
  • Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Traumatic Brain Injury

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
50 Years - 85 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Alpha neurofeedback training — BEHAVIORAL
    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.
  • Visual Attention Training — BEHAVIORAL
    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).

Study Details

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 Dates

Start date
Jul 1, 2025
Status verified
May 2025
Primary completion
Jan 30, 2028
Completion
Apr 1, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
36 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Active Comparator: Visual Attention Training
    Visual attention training is at the core of well-known training programs such as useful field of view (UFOV) training. The adapted nature of the computerized training approach affords individual differences in performance at the training outset while evaluating gains using specified performance criteria. Training parameters (duration of stimulus presentation for processing speed) are adjusted based on accuracy.
  • Experimental: Alpha Neurofeedback training
    Electroencephalogram (EEG) based neurofeedback (NFB) is a method in which brain activity is modulated via self-induced increases or decreases in the power of selected EEG frequency bands. The subject's control over his or her EEG activity is mediated with visual feedback. We will employ alpha neurofeedback training to examine how this conditioning paradigm may improve visual attention.

Primary Outcome Measure

Specific domains of cognitive function [ Time Frame: 6 weeks ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
CH19 933 19th St SBirminghamAlabama35223
Keith McGregor, PhD
[email protected]
3523598084
Keith McGregor, PhD (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)

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CH19 933 19th St S· Birmingham, AL

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