Using electric stimulation to improve memory in veterans with brain injuries

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study tests the effectiveness of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on the presupplementary motor area of the brain to enhance verbal retrieval in military veterans who have experienced mild traumatic brain injuries. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either active tDCS or sham treatment over 15 sessions, with cognitive assessments conducted throughout the intervention and at follow-up. The study aims to evaluate not only the primary outcome of verbal retrieval but also other cognitive abilities and EEG measures, while examining how baseline cognitive assessments and concussion history may predict treatment responses.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria: Participants are to be between the ages of 18-75, have previously served in the US armed services, and have had a traumatic brain injury that has led to a verbal retrieval deficit based on neuropsychological testing criteria. Traumatic brain injury must be in the mild to moderate range based on evaluation, including, the Ohio State TBI Identification Method (administered by our research group). You must be fluent in speaking and reading English.

Exclusion Criteria: Exclusion criteria include a history of a psychological or neurological disorder, including, dementia of any type, epilepsy or other seizure disorders, severe traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, brain tumor, present drug abuse, stroke, blood vessel abnormalities in the brain, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, or multiple sclerosis. Additionally, exclusion criteria include inability to give informed consent; cranial implants or skull defects that affect tDCS administration; and use of medications that interact with or potentially interact with tDCS effects, including, anti-convulsants, amphetamines, L-dopa, carbamazepine, sulpiride, pergolide, lorazepam, rivastigmine, dextromethorphan, D-cycloserine, flunarizine, ropinirole, or citalopram.

Where it's running

• The University of Texas at Dallas
  Dallas, Texas, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: John Hart, MD — The University of Texas at Dallas
• Study coordinator: Tyler Vintila
• Email: neurolab.memory@utdallas.edu
• Phone: 972-883-3161

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.