Detection and Amelioration of Gamma Oscillation Abnormalities in Blast-Related Brain Injury

Launched by VA OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT · Feb 6, 2019

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how blast-related brain injuries affect the brain, especially in combat veterans from post-9/11 conflicts. Researchers are particularly interested in understanding how the distance from a blast impacts cognitive and emotional challenges. They will use a method called electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure specific brain waves (gamma oscillations) that may indicate problems in brain function caused by these injuries. The goal is to find new ways to detect and help treat the effects of blast exposure, which could improve recovery for veterans.

To participate in this study, individuals must be veterans aged 18 to 65 who have been exposed to blasts. The trial will include 50 participants, with half having experienced blasts from a close distance (less than 10 meters) and the other half from a far distance (more than 10 meters). Participants will be recruited from a specialized research center at the VA Boston Healthcare System. Those interested should know that there are some health conditions that would exclude them from participating, such as certain neurological disorders or severe mental health issues. If eligible, participants can expect to engage in assessments that help researchers understand how blast exposure has affected their brain function.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Research participants will be 50 veterans
• • Ages 18-65 years
• • Have experienced blast exposure
• • Recruited from the VA Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders (TRACTS) at the VA Boston Healthcare System (VABHS)
• • Half of the participants will have experienced blast exposure from a Close distance (\<10 m)
• • Half of the participants will have experienced blast exposure from a Far distance (\>10 m)
• • These groups will be matched on age and female/male ratio
• Exclusion Criteria:
• Initial exclusion criteria for TRACTS are:
• • History of neurological illness
• • Huntington's
• • Parkinson's
• • dementia, etc
• • History of seizure disorders unrelated to head injury
• • Current diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar, or other psychotic disorder
• • Self-reported severe depression or anxiety requiring hospitalization overnight, or current active homicidal and/or suicidal ideation with intent requiring crisis intervention
• • Cognitive disorder due to general medical condition other than TBI
• • Unstable psychological diagnosis (suspected psychotic or personality disorder) that would interfere with accurate data collection, determined by consensus of at least three doctoral-level psychologists.
• Additional exclusion criteria for participants in the present project will be:
• • Current alcohol or drug dependence, or abuse within the last 6 months (DSM-IV criteria)
• • Hearing impairments as assessed by audiometry