NCT06034509 · Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Cognitive and Vascular Functioning Following TBI
What this study is about
This observational study will examine the association of chronic traumatic cerebrovascular injury and cardiovascular risk factors with TBI-related cognitive impairment and vascular dementia.
View original scientific description
This observational study will examine the association of chronic traumatic cerebrovascular injury and cardiovascular risk factors with TBI-related cognitive impairment and vascular dementia.
Interventions
OTHER
No intervention. This is an observational study.
There are no interventions being tested in the Cognitive and Vascular Functioning Following TBI study.
Primary outcome measures
Panel of blood biomarkers
Time frame: 3 years
A panel of blood biomarkers including vascular (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor, von Willebrand Factor, cholesterol, lipoproteins, homocysteine, fibrinogen, hemoglobin A1C), inflammatory (e.g., high sensitivity c-reactive protein, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, IL-6, IL-12p70, YKL-40), and neuronal degeneration (e.g., neurofilament light, Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein, phosphorylated tau, Clusterin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, beta amyloid proteins) will be compared between TBI groups. One-way ANOVAs will be run with TBI severity as the independent variable and each individual blood biomarker (measured in pg/mL) as the dependent variable. Spearman's rank order correlations will evaluate the relationship between blood biomarkers, number of TBIs, and TBI severity.
Cognitive Performance- Overall Test Battery Mean
Time frame: 3 years
Neurocognitive data will be corrected for age, gender, education, and race, as available. An overall test battery mean (OTBM) T-score will be calculated as the average of seven cognitive domain T-scores (attention/processing speed, working memory, executive functioning, learning/immediate memory, delayed memory, language, perceptual reasoning). Each biomarker will be correlated with the OTBM using Spearman's rank order correlations. Cognitive domain T-scores will also be evaluated to understand which are driving changes in the OTBM. All scores will be evaluated as T-scores (mean=50, SD=10, min=0, max=100), for which higher scores indicate higher cognitive performance. Multivariable logistic regression will be used to evaluate the relationship between TBI number, TBI severity, blood biomarkers and normal cognition vs. mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Active duty uniformed SM or Veteran who is currently eligible for treatment at WRNMMC (i.e., Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)-eligible).
- Ability to read, write, and speak English.
- Ability to provide informed consent.
- NICoE Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) or NatHx Study comprehensive evaluation ≥3 years prior to current evaluation with valid neuropsychological test results.
- Consent to allow access to prior research data collected through the NICoE TBI Neuroimaging Core Project or NatHx Study and consent to allow access to at least 1 prior blood specimen previously collected through these studies or the DoD Serum Biorepository. Additional TBI Inclusion Criteria 1\. History of at least one mild, moderate, severe, or penetrating TBI \> 3 years prior to enrollment. TBI will be diagnosed if any one of the following criteria immediately after the injury is met and attributed to the brain injury, rather than environmental/psychological/other injury factors (DoD-VA criteria246):
- Loss of consciousness (LOC) or post-traumatic amnesia (PTA)
- Alteration of consciousness (AOC)
- Evidence of neurologic dysfunction
- TBI-related abnormality on structural neuroimaging (either CT or MRI). Additional Healthy Control Criteria
- History of military deployment.
- Low history of blast exposure (i.e., \<10 blasts) Additional Blast Control Criteria <!-- -->
- History of significant blast exposure (i.e., exposure to ≥ 10 blasts)
Exclusion criteria
- Disabling neurologic or psychological disorders such as autism, cerebral palsy, developmental disorder, stroke, brain tumor, multiple sclerosis, meningitis, encephalitis, brain abscess, vascular malformation, pre-injury epilepsy, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, personality disorder
- Diabetes mellitus requiring drug treatment
- Hypertension requiring more than 1 antihypertensive drug to control BP
- History of myocardial infarction or other systemic vasculopathies
- Dementia diagnosis at initial NICoE/NatHx Study assessment
Where
- Bethesda, Maryland
Collaborators
Johns Hopkins University
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Sep 26, 2025 · Source of record for eligibility and locations