NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Using brain stimulation to improve thinking skills in veterans with Parkinson's disease

Official title: rTMS as a Cognitive Rehabilitation Approach in Veterans with Parkinson's Disease

Funded at Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital · NIH-11097137 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at whether a special treatment called rTMS can help improve thinking skills and brain connections in veterans with mild cognitive issues related to Parkinson's disease, and it will compare the real treatment to a fake one to see how well it works.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEdward Hines Jr VA Hospital
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Hines, United States)
Project startJune 1, 2019
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2025
NIH project number5IK2RX002938-06
Project IDNIH-11097137 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are veterans diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment related to Parkinson's disease.

Less likely to help

Patients with advanced Parkinson's disease or those without cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a cognitive rehabilitation method for veterans suffering from Parkinson's disease. The study aims to assess the safety and effectiveness of rTMS in enhancing cognitive function and brain connectivity in veterans with mild cognitive impairment associated with Parkinson's disease. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either active rTMS treatment or a placebo (sham rTMS) over a 24-day period, with cognitive assessments conducted before and after the treatment. The goal is to determine if rTMS can help slow cognitive decline and improve daily functioning.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment options that improve cognitive function and quality of life for veterans with Parkinson's disease.

How similar studies have gone: While rTMS has shown promise in other cognitive rehabilitation contexts, this specific application in veterans with Parkinson's disease is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

  • Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital
    Hines, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Kletzel, Sandra Lynn — Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital
  • Study coordinator: Kletzel, Sandra Lynn

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.