The BrainHealth Project

NCT04869111 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 23-745
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 100,000
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The BrainHealth Project is a longitudinal study designed to identify factors associated with brain health and cognitive performance across the lifespan. Participants complete online assessments approximately twice per year to measure changes in cognitive, behavioral, and lifestyle-related domains. Between assessments, participants have access to digital training modules, educational resources, and optional coaching sessions. A subset of participants may be invited to participate in additional components, including neuroimaging. For an overview of the study and link TO REGISTER please go to -- https://brainhealth.utdallas.edu/programs/the-brainhealth-project/

Conditions

Healthy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• BrainHealth Index (BHI)

  Longitudinal change in overall brain health as measured by the BrainHealth Index (BHI), a multidimensional assessment that integrates cognitive performance, social-emotional functioning, well-being, purpose, and lifestyle-related factors. Analyses will evaluate changes in BHI scores (composite and factors) over time. Higher scores indicate better brain health.

  Every 6 months until end of study

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Neural and Physiological Markers of Brain Health

  baseline, 6 months, then annually until study end

• Engagement in Intervention

  From enrollment through study completion

Other Outcomes (2)

• Exploratory Participant-Reported and Task-Based Measures

  Collected at varying intervals throughout participation

• Exploratory Wearable Device Metrics

  Collected continuously and/or at varying intervals throughout participation

Study Arms (1)

BrainHealth Intervention Protocol

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will engage in a BrainHealth app-based program tailored for this study. The program includes ongoing microlearning modules focused on supporting brain health through evidence-informed approaches, such as thinking strategies, cognitive exercises, lifestyle practices, stress management techniques, and other brain-healthy behaviors. Participants can access educational resources on the broad topic of brain health and can utilize tools to support habit formation. Participants can complete (optional) coaching calls designed to support goal setting, accountability, and application of concepts learned through the program.

Behavioral: BrainHealth App-Based Program

Interventions

BrainHealth App-Based Program BEHAVIORAL

Participants will engage in a BrainHealth app-based program tailored for this study. The program includes ongoing microlearning modules focused on supporting brain health through evidence-informed approaches, such as thinking strategies, cognitive exercises, lifestyle practices, stress management techniques, and other brain-healthy behaviors. Participants can access educational resources on the broad topic of brain health and can utilize tools to support habit formation. Participants can complete (optional) coaching calls designed to support goal setting, accountability, and application of concepts learned through the program.

BrainHealth Intervention Protocol

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 110 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• English-speaking
• Access to an internet connect and device
• Able to read information and hear sounds

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosed neurodegenerative disease
• History of stroke, concussion, or brain injury that currently hinders you from functioning at your prior level
• Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and not functioning independently
• For an overview of the study and LINK TO REGISTER please go to -- https://brainhealth.utdallas.edu/programs/the-brainhealth-project/

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The University of Texas at Dallas: lead
• University of Iowa: collaborator
• University of California, Santa Barbara: collaborator
• University of Kansas Medical Center: collaborator
• NeuroScouting: collaborator
• Northeastern University: collaborator
• Georgia State University: collaborator
• University of Southern California: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

The Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas

Dallas, Texas, 75235, United States

RECRUITING

Related Publications (13)

• Chapman SB, Aslan S, Spence JS, Hart JJ Jr, Bartz EK, Didehbani N, Keebler MW, Gardner CM, Strain JF, DeFina LF, Lu H. Neural mechanisms of brain plasticity with complex cognitive training in healthy seniors. Cereb Cortex. 2015 Feb;25(2):396-405. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bht234. Epub 2013 Aug 28.

  PMID: 23985135 BACKGROUND

• Chapman SB, Fratantoni JM, Robertson IH, D'Esposito M, Ling GSF, Zientz J, Vernon S, Venza E, Cook LG, Tate A, Spence JS. A Novel BrainHealth Index Prototype Improved by Telehealth-Delivered Training During COVID-19. Front Public Health. 2021 Mar 16;9:641754. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.641754. eCollection 2021.

  PMID: 33796498 BACKGROUND

• Chapman SB, Mudar RA. Enhancement of cognitive and neural functions through complex reasoning training: evidence from normal and clinical populations. Front Syst Neurosci. 2014 Apr 28;8:69. doi: 10.3389/fnsys.2014.00069. eCollection 2014.

  PMID: 24808834 BACKGROUND

• Chapman SB, Aslan S, Spence JS, Keebler MW, DeFina LF, Didehbani N, Perez AM, Lu H, D'Esposito M. Distinct Brain and Behavioral Benefits from Cognitive vs. Physical Training: A Randomized Trial in Aging Adults. Front Hum Neurosci. 2016 Jul 18;10:338. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00338. eCollection 2016.

  PMID: 27462210 BACKGROUND

• Chapman SB, Spence JS, Aslan S, Keebler MW. Enhancing Innovation and Underlying Neural Mechanisms Via Cognitive Training in Healthy Older Adults. Front Aging Neurosci. 2017 Oct 9;9:314. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00314. eCollection 2017.

  PMID: 29062276 BACKGROUND

• Motes MA, Yezhuvath US, Aslan S, Spence JS, Rypma B, Chapman SB. Higher-order cognitive training effects on processing speed-related neural activity: a randomized trial. Neurobiol Aging. 2018 Feb;62:72-81. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2017.10.003. Epub 2017 Oct 12.

  PMID: 29121545 BACKGROUND

• Han K, Davis RA, Chapman SB, Krawczyk DC. Strategy-based reasoning training modulates cortical thickness and resting-state functional connectivity in adults with chronic traumatic brain injury. Brain Behav. 2017 Apr 10;7(5):e00687. doi: 10.1002/brb3.687. eCollection 2017 May.

  PMID: 28523229 BACKGROUND

• Vas A, Chapman S, Aslan S, Spence J, Keebler M, Rodriguez-Larrain G, Rodgers B, Jantz T, Martinez D, Rakic J, Krawczyk D. Reasoning training in veteran and civilian traumatic brain injury with persistent mild impairment. Neuropsychol Rehabil. 2016 Aug;26(4):502-31. doi: 10.1080/09602011.2015.1044013. Epub 2015 May 27.

  PMID: 26018041 BACKGROUND

• Das N, Spence JS, Aslan S, Vanneste S, Mudar R, Rackley A, Quiceno M, Chapman SB. Cognitive Training and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Pilot Trial. Front Neurosci. 2019 Apr 12;13:307. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00307. eCollection 2019.

  PMID: 31031581 BACKGROUND

• Han K, Martinez D, Chapman SB, Krawczyk DC. Neural correlates of reduced depressive symptoms following cognitive training for chronic traumatic brain injury. Hum Brain Mapp. 2018 Jul;39(7):2955-2971. doi: 10.1002/hbm.24052. Epub 2018 Mar 23.

  PMID: 29573026 BACKGROUND

• Venza EE, Chapman SB, Aslan S, Zientz JE, Tyler DL, Spence JS. Enhancing Executive Function and Neural Health in Bipolar Disorder through Reasoning Training. Front Psychol. 2016 Nov 1;7:1676. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01676. eCollection 2016.

  PMID: 27847486 BACKGROUND

• Gallen CL, Baniqued PL, Chapman SB, Aslan S, Keebler M, Didehbani N, D'Esposito M. Modular Brain Network Organization Predicts Response to Cognitive Training in Older Adults. PLoS One. 2016 Dec 22;11(12):e0169015. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169015. eCollection 2016.

  PMID: 28006029 BACKGROUND

• Cook LG, Spence JS, Chang Z, Venza EE, Tate A, Robertson IH, D'Esposito M, Ling GSF, Wigginton JG, Chapman SB. Measuring and increasing the brain health span across adulthood: a public health imperative. Sci Rep. 2026 May 2. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-51403-3. Online ahead of print.

  PMID: 42069911 DERIVED

Study Officials

• Sandra B Chapman, PhD

  Center for BrainHealth

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Erin C, MS

CONTACT

9728833208; erin.venza@utdallas.edu

Margaret Chaplin, MA

CONTACT

(972) 883-3347; brainhealthproject@utdallas.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 27, 2021
• First Posted: May 3, 2021
• Study Start: August 1, 2020
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2038
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2038
• Last Updated: June 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)