View clinical trials related to Brain Injuries, Traumatic.
Filter by:The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a quantitative relationship between brain processes seen by a MRI and visual deficits caused by mild to moderate traumatic brain injuries (mTBI).
Up to half of military veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) also suffer from co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Both are linked to higher risk of chronic pain, one of the most common health complaints among U.S. veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq), and Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND). However, pain medications elevate risk of opioid abuse, and studies indicate that veterans perceive barriers to traditional mental health treatments. Little research exists regarding non-pharmacological, technology-based interventions designed to reduce pain in veterans with PTSD and TBI. Mobile technology used to implement neurofeedback (EEG biofeedback) shows promise in providing a portable, low-cost intervention for reducing pain in veterans with co-occurring disorders. We aim to test the feasibility and effectiveness of using mobile neurofeedback devices for reducing pain symptoms in veterans with PTSD and TBI. Veterans with PTSD, TBI, and chronic pain will receive a NeuroSky headset (which reads EEG brain waves) and an iPod Touch with an app called Mobile Neurofeedback (which provides neurofeedback to induce relaxation). Veterans are taught how to use these together to do neurofeedback themselves at home for 12 weeks. Guided by existing research and preliminary data, we hypothesize that participants will show high levels of adherence to the NeuroSky + Mobile Neurofeedback intervention for the 3-month study duration and that participants will show statistically significant reduction in pain symptoms at 3 months compared to baseline. Given links between pain and other outcomes in veterans, we will also explore effects on drug abuse, violence, and suicidality. When the research is complete, the field will be changed because we will know whether new technology reading EEG brainwaves can be used to treat symptoms among individuals suffering from chronic pain. We will also know whether neurofeedback shows promise as an effective intervention for veterans with PTSD and TBI to reduce pain and related outcomes. If this program of research is successful, its impact will be to shift approaches to managing pain in clinical practice, for both veterans and civilians
The purpose of this research study is to find out if a specialized helmet that provides low levels of near infrared light, also known as low-level light therapy (LLLT) has any effect on the recovery of people who have recently (within 72h) suffered a moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Neuroglobin has been described as a marker of traumatic brain injury. Nogo-A plays an important role in mediating neuroanatomical plasticity and functional recovery following traumatic brain injury. The investigators sought to examine the changes in serum neuroglobin and Nogo-A concentrations in patients with traumatic brain injury during the initial 96-h posttraumatic period and assessed the relation of neuroglobin and Nogo-A to Glasgow Coma Score and prognosis of such patients with traumatic brain injury.
Background: - Traumatic brain injury (TBI) injures blood vessels in the brain. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) help the body form new blood vessels. The drug erythropoietin (EPO) helps the body make more blood cells and might help make blood vessels. Researchers want to see if EPO helps people with TBI. Objective: - To see whether erythropoietin increases the number of endothelial progenitor cells circulating in the blood and changes reactivity of brain vessels. Eligibility: - Adults age 18 70 who had a TBI 3 7 days ago and still have symptoms. Design: - Participants will be screened with medical history and blood tests. Vital signs will be taken. - Visit 1: - Medical history, physical exam, and blood sample. - Neuropsychological tests of memory, attention, and thinking. These include written and spoken questions, tests on paper or computer, and simple actions. - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan with carbon dioxide. Participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of a metal cylinder. For part of the scan, participants will wear a breathing mask like a snorkel and wear a nose clip. - Study drug or placebo injection under the skin of the arm, leg, or buttock. - Visits 2, 3, and 4 will be 1 week apart. - Blood sample. - Review of TBI symptoms and any drug side effects. - Study drug or placebo injection under the skin. - Visit 5 will be 1 week after visit 4. Visit 6 will be 6 months after participants start the study. - Blood sample. - Review of TBI symptoms and any drug side effects. - Neuropsychological tests. - MRI with carbon dioxide.
Deficits in memory, attention, cognitive, and executive functions are the most common disabilities after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Dopamine (DA) neurotransmission is implicated in these neural functions and dopaminergic pathways are recognized to be frequently disrupted after TBI. Methylphenidate increases synaptic DA levels by binding to presynaptic dopamine transporters (DAT) and blocking re-uptake. The objectives of this study are to use PET imaging with [11C]-raclopride, a D2/D3 receptor ligand, before and after administering methylphenidate, to measure endogenous DA release in patients who are experiencing problems with cognition, attention and executive function in the chronic stage after TBI. In addition, we will use TMS to test short intracortical inhibition, a gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor A (GABAA) - mediated phenomenon, which is under partial DA control, as a measure of dopaminergic activity on and off
Interventions to help individuals with traumatic brain injury manage their healthy lifestyle behaviors have been limited. Thus, the goal of this project is to evaluate the efficacy of a telehealth lifestyle program on reductions in weight and improvements in health behaviors/lifestyle choices.
The primary purpose of this research is to evaluate the impact of a telehealth-based, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention (problem-solving training: PST) for adult informal military family/friend caregivers of OIF/OEF service members with a deployment-related TBI.
This study proposes to investigate how well Bright White Light Therapy will work in the acute inpatient rehabilitation units for people whom have experienced a traumatic brain injury for the purpose of treating sleep disruption. Participants will be assessed based on sleep efficiency, thinking abilities, therapy participation, and perception of fatigue/sleepiness. In previous studies dim red light has not had the same effects on function as bright white light, and will be chosen for use as a placebo. Each subject will be randomized to receive 30 minutes of either Bright White Light Therapy or Red Light Treatment each morning for 10 days. To measure the effect of this treatment, the investigators will measure the each participants sleep daily by using an actigraph watch. This watch will record movement continuously. The investigators will also measure the subjects' report of how well they slept, whether fatigue is present, and how attentive they are before and after treatment. Research Hypothesis: In persons with TBI, prospectively compare overnight sleep in a cohort exposed to morning Bright White Light with a comparison group exposed to Red Light in an acute inpatient rehabilitation setting.
Background: - Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a brain disease caused in part by head injury. The brain changes from CTE can only be seen at autopsy. Researchers want to test a new brain scan to help diagnose CTE in living patients. Objective: - To determine if a new type of brain scan can detect changes that occur in chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Eligibility: - Adults age 18 60 with previous head injury or participation in certain sports. Design: - Participants will be screened with: - Physical exam - Blood and urine tests - Tests of thinking, mood, and memory - 30-minute magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan. A magnetic field and radio waves take pictures of the brain. Participants will lie on a table that slides into a metal cylinder. They will get earplugs for the loud knocking sounds. - Visit 1: Participants will have a 70-minute PET scan of the brain with a small amount of a radioactive chemical. That will be injected through an intravenous tube (catheter) in each arm. A catheter will also be put into an artery at the wrist or elbow. - Participants will lie on a bed that slides in and out of a donut-shaped scanner. A plastic mask may be molded to their face and head. Vital signs and heart activity will be checked before and during the scan. - Blood and urine will be taken before and after the scan. - Participants will be checked on by phone the next day. - Visit 2: Participants will repeat Visit 1 with a different chemical and no artery catheter. - Visit 3: Participants may have a spinal tap. Some fluid will be removed by needle between the bones in the back.