Remotely delivered brain stimulation to help cognition in Veterans with mTBI and PTSD
Official title: Remotely administered tDCS to improve cognitive function in Veterans with mTBI and PTSD
Funded at Philadelphia VA Medical Center · NIH-11346972 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A non-invasive brain stimulation treatment used at home aims to improve thinking skills for Veterans who have had mild brain injuries and PTSD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Philadelphia VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2026 |
| Project end | September 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 1IK2RD000464-01A2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11346972 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans with a history of mild traumatic brain injury and co-occurring PTSD who can use at-home remotely delivered tDCS
✕Less likely to help
Those without access to compatible home devices or with contraindications to non-invasive brain stimulation may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores using tDCS, a safe brain-stimulation method, paired with cognitive tasks, delivered remotely to Veterans with co-occurring mTBI and PTSD. Participants would complete training while receiving guided, at-home stimulation to support brain plasticity and cognitive function. The study builds on prior findings that combining stimulation with training can enhance cognitive gains in other conditions. The research includes collecting Veteran feedback on acceptability and comfort with the at-home approach. The ultimate goal is to determine whether this remote approach can be an effective, scalable option for cognitive rehabilitation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, Veterans could gain easier access to a promising treatment that may improve memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that tDCS paired with training can improve cognition in other conditions, but this exact Veteran mTBI/PTSD combination is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Philadelphia VA Medical Center
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sloane, Kelly Lauren — Philadelphia VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Sloane, Kelly Lauren
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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.