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Personalized Brain Stimulation for Chronic Concussion Symptoms

This study is testing a new treatment for long-lasting symptoms after a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in adults aged 18-65. These symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, and difficulty with memory or concentration. The treatment involves personalized brain stimulation called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), using either active cTBS or inactive/sham cTBS devices. Participants will also receive behavioral therapy called imaginal exposure. Researchers want to see if this treatment can improve your symptoms and how long those improvements last. You may be eligible if you had an mTBI in the last 12 months and have significant post-concussion symptoms.

Study design
This study plans to enroll 75 participants and will compare active cTBS brain stimulation with inactive/sham cTBS, along with behavioral therapy. It is designed to be double-blind, meaning neither you nor the researchers will know which type of brain stimulation you are receiving.
What's involved
You will receive either active cTBS or inactive/sham cTBS twice a day, delivering 1,200 pulses daily. You will also participate in imaginal exposure behavioral therapy.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your progress will be monitored for an average of 4 months after the treatment to see how long any improvements last.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06073886

Personalized Brain Stimulation to Treat Chronic Concussive Symptoms

Recruiting
PHASE2Ages 18–65InterventionalTreatment
University of California, Los Angeles
~75 participants
Updated 2026-02-24 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Active cTBSInactive/Sham cTBSImaginal exposure

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Central target engagement, modulation, and durability
Measured over Change from baseline across all subsequent time points until completion of the study, an average of 4 months
+3 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Post-Concussion Syndrome
Concussion, Brain
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Head Injury
Headache
Dizziness
Cognitive Symptom
Dysautonomia
Anxiety
Irritability; Syndrome
Depression
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Explore related trials

ConcussionPostconcussion syndrome

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
California1

Who to contact

Kevin Bickart, MD/PhD
[email protected]
(818)392-4614
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) defined in accord with the World Health Organization criteria in the last 12 months
age 18-65 at the time of the mTBI
high burden of post-concussive symptoms defined as a score \>=20 on the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire

Exclusion

objective neurologic deficits
ongoing or prolonged (\>3 months) post-concussive symptoms from a prior mTBI within 2 years of the index injury
history of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy
contraindications for TMS or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (e.g., metallic implant other than dental, pacemaker)
severe mental, physical, or medical problems that would impede participation or pose a risk for the planned intervention (e.g., liver, kidney, or heart disease, uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension, malignancy, psychosis, previous seizure, pregnancy)
active alcohol or illicit drug abuse
inability to speak and read English

What this trial measures

  • Central target engagement, modulation, and durabilityChange from baseline across all subsequent time points until completion of the study, an average of 4 months

    Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance connectivity in the target frontoamygdala circuit

  • Peripheral target engagement, modulation, and durabilityChange from baseline across all subsequent time points until completion of the study, an average of 4 months

    Using heart rate variability as measured by electrocardiogram

  • Persistent post-concussive symptoms modulation and durabilityChange from baseline across all subsequent time points until completion of the study, an average of 4 months

    Using the Modified Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire where higher scores are worse. Scores range from 0-64.

  • Fear avoidance modulation and durabilityChange from baseline across all subsequent time points until completion of the study, an average of 4 months

    Using the Fear Avoidance Behavior Questionnaire for Traumatic Brain Injury where higher scores are worse. Scores range from 0-48.