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NIH grant 1IK2RD000464-01A2: Remotely administered tDCS to improve cognitive function in Veterans with mTBI and PTSD
Institute: {'code': 'VA', 'abbreviation': 'VA', 'name': 'Veterans Affairs', 'admin_org_id': '12500964', 'admin_funding_url': ''}. PI: Kelly Lauren Sloane. Award: $.
Start: 2026-10-01T00:00:00.
Background: Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are
common combat-related injuries. PTSD occurs in 37-44% of military Veterans with TBI and is
associated with worse functional outcomes among individuals with TBI. TBI and PTSD have a
strong, bidirectional relationship, including overlapping symptoms of emotional dysregulation
and cognitive impairment. Despite how impactful this condition, few effective therapies exist to
ameliorate the cognitive effects of comorbid mild TBI and PTSD (mTBI/PTSD). One possible
explanation of lack of effective therapies is that many interventions do not specifically target
neuroplasticity, the brain’s intrinsic capacity for neural reorganization and adaptation in
response to injury. Advances in non-invasive brain stimulation, including transcranial direct
current stimulation (tDCS), offer promising tools that can modulate neuroplasticity by pairing
stimulation with a training task that engages that region. In a variety of neuropsychiatric
conditions, tDCS while paired with a cognitive training task, has been shown to improve
cognitive functioning. However, to our knowledge, no studies have used tDCS to treat these
symptoms in Veterans with comorbid mTBI/PTSD.
Significance/Impact: This proposal seeks to examine Veteran perspectives of non-invasive
brain stimulation like tDCS as an intervention for cognitive neurorehabilitation and to test the
effect of tDCS, administered remotely along with concurrent cognitive training, on cognitive
function in Veterans with mTBI/PTSD. This project is highly relevant for RR&D because it aims
to maximize functional independence and quality of life and increase access to care for
Veterans with impairments due to mTBI/PTSD and. This proposal addresses ORD-wide
priorities to increase the substantial real-world impact of VA research and Veterans’ access to
high-quality clinical trials. Project findings will yield actionable insights at the individual level to
help ensure the VA is providing high quality care for Veterans with mTBI/PTSD.
Innovation: This proposal addresses the lack of effective neurorehabilitation interventions that
leverage cognitive neuroscience and remote technologies to help improve function in Veterans
with mTBI/PTSD. Remote designs extend the reach of non-invasive brain stimulation and
cognitive neurorehabilitation programs to Veteran populations, who are rurally residing and
often excluded from such interventions due to distance or transportation barriers.
Specific Aims: The specific aims are: (1) To characterize Veteran perspectives related to
cognitive neurorehabilitation and non-invasive brain stimulation; (2) To determine the effect of
active transcranial direct current stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex as a
cognitive neurorehabilitation intervention for individuals with co-morbid mTBI/PTSD.
Methodology: This proposal includes a qualitative analysis of the perspectives, attitudes and
lived experiences of Veterans regarding non-invasive brain stimulation (Aim 1); and a
randomized controlled trial of remotely administered tDCS to improve cognitive function.
Next Steps/Implementation: This research program will improve our understanding of
Veteran perspectives to non-invasive brain stimulation, like tDCS, as cognitive
neurorehabilitation tool for broad and equitable use, and it will build a foundation for remotely
administered cognitive neurorehabilitation interventions for Veterans afflicted with cognitive
impairments due to mTBI/PTSD.document fetched 2026-10-24 02:46