BRAIN-SPEED-VETS: Brain Research Assessing Impacts of Neurophysiological Processing Speed Training in Veterans
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Summary
Older veterans with a history of mild brain trauma exhibit early cognitive challenges, especially in driving-related tasks. This is attributed to alterations in the brain's excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance. This pilot project investigates this phenomenon by leveraging electroencephalography (EEG) to measure parietal lobe alpha rhythms during visual attention tasks. The hypothesis is that targeted visual attention training can modulate these alpha rhythms, improving instrumental activities in daily life. However, outcomes from such training vary, possibly due to individual differences in cortical inhibitory functions. This study will assess the relationship between EEG measures of E/I balance pre- and post-visual attention training and its effects on processing speeds in aging veterans. Our findings aim to provide a foundation for customized therapies and interventions for veterans with and without a history of brain trauma.
Description
Veterans aged 50 and above who have suffered mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) are twice as prone to develop dementia. From 2001, during the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) campaigns, over 470,000 veterans were diagnosed with TBI. Beyond the prevalence of the signature wound of the OEF and OIF campaigns, the number of mTBI cases within the VA system is believed to be much higher. Disturbingly, an increasing number of veterans, especially those with TBI, are being diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and frank dementia between ages 50-60. With 72% of vete…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 50–85 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: Ages: 18-35 (Younger Group); Ages 50-80 (Healthy Older Group); Ages 50-85 (persons with a history of mild traumatic brain injury) * English speaking * Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI): * A history of mTBI confirmed by the Ohio State University TBI Identification Method-Short Form (including a requirement that the mTBI caused a loss of consciousness lasting less than 30 min). * An additional note will be made for Veterans with mTBI with a report of objective or subjective cognitive decline not meeting the criteria (i.e.- Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)…
Interventions
- BehavioralAlpha neurofeedback training
Alpha neurofeedback training affords the participant the ability to monitor cortical EEG waves and entrain to a specific rhythm using visual feedback. Alpha is measured between 8-12Hz and is associated with cortical inhibition. Aging related changes in alpha have been associated with loss of modulation ability. However, alpha training may afford increased perception of visual details.
- BehavioralVisual Attention Training
Visual attention training involves repeated testing on the location and identity of objects in the visual field. Also called the "Dual Decision" task training, objects are briefly presented in a radial field of view surrounding a gaze fixation point. The participant is asked to remember the location and object presented within the field. The test progressively increases in difficulty by limiting the amount of time the object is presented on screen. Accuracy is measured by either a correct or incorrect response (binary response).
Location
- CH19 933 19th St SBirmingham, Alabama