Clinical Research Directory

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Veterans With TBI and PCS: A Biomarker Study

The goal of this study is to examine changes in blood biomarkers following hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in military veterans with traumatic brain injury and persistent post-concussive symptoms. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does HBOT produce measurable changes in inflammatory, neurotrophic, and neuronal injury biomarkers from baseline to completion of a 40-session treatment protocol in veterans with TBI and PCS? 2. Does the presence of comorbid PTSD influence biomarker responses to HBOT among veterans with TBI and PCS? Participants will: Complete medical and behavioral health evaluations to determine eligibility. Provide blood samples before treatment and after the final session. Receive 40 HBOT sessions at 2.0 ATA, generally two sessions per day with at least four hours between sessions. Approximately 34 veterans will participate. All participants will receive HBOT; there is no comparison group.

Remotely Supervised tDCS+ for Complex Attention in mTBI (Cognetric)

The proposed study will evaluate a new approach to cognitive rehabilitation of mTBI using a brain stimulation technique called "Remotely Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation combined with Cognitive Training" (RS-tDCS+) which has shown promise for improving complex attention in both healthy and clinical populations. RS-tDCS+ is a home-based, low-risk, non-invasive technique that is designed to boost cognitive training by enhancing learning and the brain's ability to reorganize connections. This study will evaluate RS-tDCS+ for improving complex attention in Active Duty Service Members (ADSM) and Veterans with a history of mTBI. Different tests of complex attention and symptom questionnaires will be used to determine the effects of real versus sham (placebo) RS-tDCS+. Second, the investigators will investigate electrical and connectivity changes in the brain associated with RS-tDCS+ using electroencephalogram (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Third, the investigators will investigate the lasting effects of any observed changes by evaluating participants at 1 and 6 weeks post-treatment. Lastly, the investigators will explore the impact of individual differences (e.g., PTSD, depression, sleep quality, time since injury, baseline impairment, age, sex, ADSM versus Veteran) on treatment outcome.