Retraining Neural Pathways Improves Cognitive Skills After A Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Perception Dynamics Institute

Summary

The proposed study tests the efficacy (Phase II) of 36 or 54 30-minute training sessions of PATH neurotraining followed by digit memory exercises to improve working memory, processing speed and attention in mTBI patients rapidly and effectively to provide clinical testing of a therapeutic training for the remediation of cognitive disorders caused by a concussion. This study will contribute to the fundamental knowledge of how to remediate concussions from a mTBI to enhance the health, lengthen the life and reduce the disabilities that result from a mTBI.

Description

This study will provide clinical testing of therapeutic training for remediation of concussion-induced cognitive disorders. Our Phase I Clinical Trial determined the feasibility of targeting visual timing deficits in mTBI subjects to successfully remediate cognitive deficits. This trial identified PATH+DigitMemory (DM) neurotraining as the most effective intervention for post-mTBI cognitive remediation. Since Institutional Review Boards have classified these cognitive interventions as minimal risk and not yet proven treatments for mTBI, FDA approval is not required before study initiation. Upo…

Eligibility

Age range: 18–60 years
Sex: All
Healthy volunteers: No

Detailed criteria

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Referred by Clinician verifying that patient has an mTBI (also includes moderate TBI: those who had a severe TBI with a loss of consciousness more than 30 minutes that is now an mTBI) and has a visual working memory loss as determined by first neuropsychological pre-test administered: The Test of Information Processing Skills (TIPS), 2. One or more concussions, 3. Any loss of consciousness from 5- 30 min (not longer than 30 min) to be in mTBI group, otherwise in moderate TBI group. 4. Any loss of memory for events immediately before or after the accident for 24 hours is…

Interventions

Behavioral
PATH + DigitMemory (DM) neurotraining
Improve visual timing and sensitivity in the dorsal stream. The mTBI subject will sit 57 cm in front of a computer monitor. During the presentation, the bars in the 'fish-shaped' window in the center of the screen formed by a sinusoidal grating, move left or right very briefly. When the screen goes blank, the subject reports which way the center pattern moved by pushing the left or right arrow key. A brief tone is presented after incorrect responses. The program adaptively changes the contrast of the test pattern so that the subject detects motion at lowest contrast possible. A sequence of patterns in each training cycle that are designed to optimally activate magnocellular neurons are shown to the subject. There are two programs, the first measures the contrast needed to see one direction of movement, and the second program measures the contrast needed to see two directions of movement, requiring memory. Both are followed by digit memory exercises.

Locations (2)

University of California at San Diego
San Diego, California
Perception Dynamics Institute
Solana Beach, California
tlawton@pathtoreading.com 310-903-6009

Summary

Description

Eligibility

Age range

18–60 years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

Detailed criteria

Interventions

Behavioral

PATH + DigitMemory (DM) neurotraining

Improve visual timing and sensitivity in the dorsal stream. The mTBI subject will sit 57 cm in front of a computer monitor. During the presentation, the bars in the 'fish-shaped' window in the center of the screen formed by a sinusoidal grating, move left or right very briefly. When the screen goes blank, the subject reports which way the center pattern moved by pushing the left or right arrow key. A brief tone is presented after incorrect responses. The program adaptively changes the contrast of the test pattern so that the subject detects motion at lowest contrast possible. A sequence of patterns in each training cycle that are designed to optimally activate magnocellular neurons are shown to the subject. There are two programs, the first measures the contrast needed to see one direction of movement, and the second program measures the contrast needed to see two directions of movement, requiring memory. Both are followed by digit memory exercises.