Multi-level assessment and rehabilitation of combat mild traumatic brain injury

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Combat-related mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and co-morbid conditions are prevalent in returning Veterans with the reported rates ranging from 14- 22%. Chronic sequela of mTBI can be highly debilitating due to deficits in the cognitive control processes, including attention, executive functions, and memory. In prior studies, individuals with chronic acquired brain injury who participated in a cognitive training program, Goal- Oriented Attentional Self-Regulation (GOALS), which targets executive control functions of applied mindfulness-based attention regulation and goal management, improved cognitive performance in areas of: complex attention/executive function and memory, complex functional task performance, and daily functioning. Furthermore, functional MRI (fMRI) results after training indicated significantly enhanced modulation of neural processing. Preliminary data from recently completed randomized-control GOALS study in 32 Veterans with chronic TBI also show both short and longer term (up to 2 years) improvements in attention and executive function, complex real-life tasks, and emotional regulation. The primary objectives of this study are to investigate the potential short and longer term effects of GOALS cognitive training program, and to use advanced MRI to investigate changes in brain structure and function in the circuits that regulate attention, memory, executive function and emotion in Veterans with chronic mTBI. We postulate that 1) GOALS training will improve neurocognitive function in attention and executive function domains, complex functional task performance, and emotional regulation in Veterans with chronic mTBI; 2) improved neurocognitive function will be correlated with macrostructural, microstructural and functional changes in the corresponding brain networks on high field (3T) and ultra-high field (7T) structural MR imaging, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting state fMRI performed pre- and post-training; 3) Changes in both behavioral function and imaging measures will be maintained at 6 months post-training and be associated with improvements in activities and participation. AIM 1: To determine the short and long term effects of GOALS training on neuro-cognitive performance and neural plasticity of attention and executive control networks in mTBI. AIM 2: To determine the short and long term effects of GOALS training on complex functional task performance and daily functioning, and on plasticity in pathways related to memory function, in mTBI. AIM 3: To determine the short and long term effects of GOALS training on measures of emotional regulation, and on plasticity of frontolimbic networks related to emotion processing, in mTBI In a randomized, controlled interventional study design, 36 Veterans with a history of chronic (> 6 month) mTBI and residual cognitive difficulties will be randomized to participate in 5 weeks of cognitive training (GOALS) or a treatment as usual (TAU) comparison. At baseline, week 5 (post GOALS), and at 6 months, participants will undergo a multi-level assessment battery consisting of: 1) neuroimaging with high field (3T) and ultra-high field (7T) structural MR imaging, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting state fMRI; 2) neuropsychological assessment focusing on complex attention and executive function; 3) complex `real life' functional task performance; and 4) self-report measures of daily functioning and emotional regulation/heath. When completed, this project will determine whether training core attentional self-regulatory control functions via personally-relevant activities will be effective in improving quality of life and daily functioning for Veterans with mTBI. The study design will provide a test of potential benefits on real-life functioning, and also determine to what extent these benefits are related to actual changes in hypothetically targeted cognitive/behavioral functions and brain networks corresponding to these functions.