NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

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 typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEdward Hines Jr VA Hospital
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Hines, United States)
Project startApril 1, 2023
Project endMarch 31, 2028
Funding year2025
NIH project number5IK2RX004298-03
Project IDNIH-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

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.