Zapping the brain to heal: new hope for TBI veterans?
NCT ID NCT02849223
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests a gentle brain stimulation method called tDCS in 41 veterans who had a mild traumatic brain injury over a year ago. Participants receive either real or fake stimulation while doing memory exercises. The goal is to see if tDCS can improve thinking skills and daily function, and to find brain markers that predict who benefits most.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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41 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jul 2016
- Expected to finish
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Sep 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a US federal agency other than the NIH.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Veterans enrolled at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System * Age of 18 and 65 * Sustained a mild traumatic brain injury more than 1 year ago. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of a psychotic disorder * Severely depressed * Clinically unstable due to a hospitalization or medication change in the previous 4 weeks * Mild substance use disorder in the last month * Moderate to Severe substance use disorder in the last six months * Behavioral problems that prevent participation in a group intervention * Premorbid intellectual ability (IQ) below 70 * Unable to provide informed consent * Have a guardian of person * Have another existing neurological condition that impacts cognitive functioning * Not fluent enough in English to understand testing procedures * Have a medical condition that is incompatible with transcranial direct current stimulation.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55417, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Machine learning may forecast brain decline after head injury