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 type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hines, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2RX002938-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-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
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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.