A small clinical trial involving deep brain stimulation (DBS) has demonstrated promising results in improving the cognition of individuals with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), according to a study published in Nature Medicine on December 4.

The trial consisted of five participants who showed a remarkable 15-52% improvement in processing speed in cognitive tests after three months of receiving DBS implants. The study's co-author, Jaimie Henderson, a neurosurgeon at Stanford University, described the improvements as transformative, even for individuals who had suffered from the injury for many years.

Traumatic brain injuries, particularly in the medium to severe range, often result from head wounds or trauma and lead to neuron death and disconnection of brain circuits. These injuries cause long-term cognitive difficulties, making it challenging for affected individuals to resume their pre-injury lives and work.

The researchers suspected that DBS, which involves applying electrical stimulation to activate and restore connections among damaged neurons, could potentially enhance cognitive functioning in individuals with TBI. They focused on targeting neurons in the thalamus, a brain structure associated with attention, decision-making, and working memory.

By using personalized treatment approaches based on each participant's brain imaging data and anatomical atlases, the research team implanted electrodes near the lateral side of the thalamus in both brain hemispheres. Over a period of 14 days, they fine-tuned the stimulation parameters for each individual. The implants were then used to apply an electrical current for 12 hours a day at a frequency of 150-185 hertz for three months.

Cognitive functioning was assessed through a test that measured task switching, attention, and working memory. Participants were tasked with connecting consecutive numbers or letters arranged in a specific geometric pattern.

The results of the study were impressive. At the end of the three-month period, participants exhibited an average improvement of 30.7% in the attention task and a 32% increase in speed for completing the cognitive test, compared to their pre-surgery performance.

The research team's next step is to conduct larger-scale trials to further explore the potential of deep brain stimulation for TBI patients. Co-author Nicholas Schiff, a neurologist at Cornell University, also expressed the team's interest in developing a reliable protocol for training other centers to deliver this treatment effectively.

This breakthrough in deep brain stimulation could provide hope for the millions of individuals in the United States alone who struggle with medium to severe traumatic brain injuries. As research continues, scientists aim to unlock further knowledge and potential treatments for brain injuries, ultimately helping affected individuals recover and regain their cognitive abilities.