Using brain stimulation to reduce impulsivity and suicidal thoughts in Veterans with mild brain injuries
Official title: Neuromodulation for impulsivity and suicidality in Veterans with mildtraumatic brain injury and common co-occurring mental health conditions
Funded at Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital · NIH-11175308 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new brain treatment called intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) to see if it can help Veterans with mild traumatic brain injuries who are dealing with impulsivity and suicidal thoughts, and it will also check how this treatment affects their social life and mental health.
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 | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2RX004298-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11175308 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans who have experienced mild traumatic brain injuries and exhibit impulsivity or suicidal ideation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of mild traumatic brain injury or do not exhibit impulsivity or suicidal thoughts may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new treatment method called intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) aimed at helping Veterans who have experienced mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) and struggle with impulsivity and suicidal thoughts. The study will assess how safe and effective this brain stimulation technique is, as well as its impact on social functioning and mental health. Participants will undergo brain imaging to understand how this treatment affects brain connectivity. The goal is to find a viable treatment option for those facing these challenges after an mTBI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new treatment option for Veterans dealing with impulsivity and suicidal thoughts after brain injuries.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using iTBS is relatively novel, similar neuromodulation techniques have shown promise in treating various mental health conditions.
Where this research is happening
-
Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital
Hines, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aaronson, Alexandra Leigh — Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital
- Study coordinator: Aaronson, Alexandra Leigh
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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.