Improving cognitive function using personalized brain stimulation techniques
Official title: Cognitive enhancement through model-based and individualized neurostimulation
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10768735 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special type of brain stimulation can help improve thinking and memory by using personalized brain models, so if you join, you'll get a treatment designed just for your brain to see if it can boost your mental performance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | January 25, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $194,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R21MH132240-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10768735 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults over 21 years old who may be experiencing cognitive challenges or mental health disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe neurological conditions or those who are not able to undergo noninvasive brain stimulation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) can enhance cognitive functions by using individualized brain models. By analyzing participants' brain activity through resting-state electroencephalography (EEG), the study aims to understand how tES affects brain dynamics and cognitive performance. The approach focuses on creating personalized neural models to optimize the stimulation process, addressing previous limitations in cognitive enhancement studies. Participants will receive tailored interventions based on their unique brain activity patterns to improve mental health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for cognitive impairments and mental health disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using noninvasive brain stimulation techniques for cognitive enhancement, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Braver, Todd S — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Braver, Todd S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Using MRI to measure brain oxygen levels as an early sign of small vessel disease in the brain
This study is looking at how measuring oxygen levels in the brain with MRI can help spot early signs of small vessel disease, which is linked to memory problems and dementia, especially Alzheimer's, so if you're at risk due to age or high blood pressure, you might be able to participate in MRI scans to learn more about
-
Advanced Methods & Modeling for Better Patient Care
A funding opportunity focused on developing new modeling methods to improve health care for patients through better data use and analytics.
-
Advanced methods and modeling for health research at Washington University
A health research grant at Washington University funds new modeling methods to support future patient-focused studies.
-
Center for Research in Emerging Infectious Diseases: Epidemiology, Surveillance and Pathogenesis
A NIH program will study and monitor emerging viruses from the Midwest U.S. and three Asian sites to understand how they spread and affect people.
-
How Poverty and the Environment Affect Heart Disease in Haiti and Beyond
This grant studies how poverty-related factors like food insecurity, stress, and pollution contribute to heart disease and aims to follow a large group of adults to better understand and prevent the disease.
-
Wearable tech to track blood loss during childbirth
A wearable device monitors cardiovascular signals to detect postpartum hemorrhage early so clinicians can act quickly to protect mothers.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.