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

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

NIH-funded research Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital · NIH-11097137

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 IDNIH-11097137 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

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

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

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 performed: 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

Hines, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.