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Treating Civilian Traumatic Brain Injury Using Non-invasive Brain Stimulation

We are recruiting civilians with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) who suffer from chronic (> one year) persistent cognitive symptoms post-injury. Our goal is to test whether using high definition transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) can alleviate their cognitive symptoms (particularly word finding difficulty), evaluated by comprehensive cognitive assessment. We are also using electroencephalography (EEG, brainwave test) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, for brain structure) to understand how HD-tDCS works in TBI patients. See more detailed information on the clinicaltrials.gov website for this study.

Treating Primary Progressive Aphasia and Apraxia of Speech Using Non-invasive Brain Stimulation

We are recruiting patients with a diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia and/or primary progressive apraxia of speech (PPA and/or PPAOS). Our goal is to test whether using high definition transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) can help to maintain or even improve their language and speech functions, evaluated by comprehensive cognitive and speech/language assessment. We are also using electroencephalography (EEG, brainwave test) to understand how HD-tDCS works in such patients. See more detailed information on the clinicaltrials.gov website for this study.

Treatment of Memory Disorders in Gulf War Illness with High Definition Transcranial Direct Cortical Stimulation

Word finding and verbal memory deficits have been associated with Gulf War Illness (GWI). We are exploring a novel treatment using non-invasive brain stimulation to treat memory difficulties and to improve word finding in Gulf War Illness. The objective of this study is to identify patients with Gulf War Illness (GWI) who have a verbal retrieval deficit and determine if delivery of HD tDCS over the PreSupplementary Motor Area of the brain (preSMA) will improve performance in verbal retrieval-related tasks. If you are interested in participating, view more information about the study.

Longitudinal Continuation of TARCC Hispanic Cohort

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of age-related dementia and one of the most serious health problems in the industrialized world. The Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium (TARCC) is a collaborative Alzheimer’s disease research effort directed and funded by the Texas Council on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders. Our lab is working with labs at The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, and UT Southwestern.

In June 2006, TARCC members, with the approval of the Council, established a comprehensive research database of well-characterized subjects to support studies that will lead to better diagnosis, understanding, treatment, and ultimately prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.

Treatment Trial of Combat-Related PTSD

We have recently published results in the Journal of Affective Disorders on a completed study that shows significantly greater reductions in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in a group receiving repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) before Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) compared to a control group that received only CPT. Additionally, for the group that received rTMS before the therapy, PTSD symptoms remained reduced when the participants were reassessed three and six months afterward.

To build on this previous study, we have begun a larger, multi-site study to confirm the efficacy of this treatment. We are currently recruiting Veterans from post 9/11 combat who have or believe they may have PTSD from a combat-related event that is not sexual in nature. If you are interested in participating, view more information about the study.

Treatment Trial for Traumatic Brain Injury in Combat Veterans

Our lab has been studying the storage of verbal knowledge and retrieval of information for more than 25 years. Retrieving words and their meaning is an integral part of a variety of daily functions. Both word finding and verbal memory deficits have been associated with traumatic brain injury. Our previous studies in veterans with traumatic brain injury have clearly shown the presences of a number of individuals with verbal retrieval deficits. We are employing novel ways to treat these word finding and memory difficulties in traumatic brain injury using non-invasive neuromodulation. If you are interested in participating, view more information and complete our online form.

Combat Veterans without PTSD

We are also recruiting post 9/11 combat veterans without PTSD. The information we hope to gather from non-PTSD combat veterans can be used to better understand differences of veterans who did develop PTSD, and potentially aid in the development and evaluation of better treatment options for those seeking help.