A Novel Neurofeedback Intervention for Photosensitivity in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
The goal of this study is to complete a pilot study testing the feasibility and acceptability of low-intensity pulse-based transcranial stimulation (LIP-tES) neurofeedback intervention for reducing photosensitivity symptoms in Veterans with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The study will also complete resting-state MRI scans to assess neurophysiological markers of photosensitivity and changes associated with LIP-tES intervention.
Description
Photosensitivity (PS) is one of the more common sequelae of TBI, with over 50% of TBI patients reporting some level of PS in the acute and/or chronic stages. PS can range from mild to severe and can significantly impair social, physical, and cognitive functioning, as well as rehabilitation outcomes. While spectacle chromatic filters are conventionally used to alleviate symptoms, they are not designed to resolve issues with PS and have been associated with lower symptom recovery over time, underscoring the need to develop more effective, non-invasive treatment options that can reduce or elimina…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Ages 18-65 * Documented history of mTBI at least 6 months prior to initial study visit * Documented symptoms of photosensitivity * Eye exam within the last 12 months documenting best-corrected acuity of 20/20 or better, normal pupillary function, color vision, no abnormalities on OCT scan, and normal Humphrey Visual Field test Exclusion Criteria: * History of strabismus or amblyopia * Significant ocular media opacity that could reduce the amount of light entering the pupil in one or both eyes * Previous or current history of retinal or optic nerve pathology in one or b…
Interventions
- DeviceMicro Current Neurofeedback Device using Low-Frequency Pulse-Based Transcranial Electrical Stimulation
The EEG interface device is a J\&J Engineering 1-330 C2 box. The software used to determine LIP-tES feedback patterns was developed by Neurogen High Performance Neurofeedback. The EEG sampling frequency is 256 Hz on each of 2 EEG acquisition channels. The feedback LIP-tES is delivered via the 4 EEG leads (A+,A-,B+,B-), with respect to the Common Neck Reference. During each session, 2 electrodes (A- and B-) are attached to the participant's left and right mastoids, while the remaining two electrodes (A+ and B+) are moved to various locations on the scale to record EEG signals. All four (A+,A-,B+,B-) electrodes are involved in applying weak electrical pulses back to the brain (feedback process). The brief feedback pulse (\~100mV) is adaptive and determined based on the offset of the frequency spectrum recorded across the left and right hemisphere (A vs. B) electrodes in the time window immediately prior to stimulation.
Location
- VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus, Jamaica Plain, MABoston, Massachusetts