The BrainHealth Project

NCT04869111 | Recruiting

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

Brief Summary

For an overview of the study and link TO REGISTER please go to -- https://brainhealth.utdallas.edu/programs/the-brainhealth-project/ The BrainHealth Project is a ten-year, longitudinal study focused on identifying determinants of brain health and performance. Participants will have the opportunity to complete semi-annual (twice a year) online assessments to track their performance over time. In between semi-annual assessments, participants will have access to online trainings and ongoing supplemental content regarding ways to optimize brain health and performance. Online one-on-one coaching sessions will be offered to participants to answer questions and provide support in applying the information to their daily lives. A small portion of participants will be invited to participate in the brain imaging portion of this study. The main objectives are: (i) to characterize lifestyle, cognitive, and behavioral markers related to an individual's cognitive function from adolescent to elderly ages, (ii) to assess the neural/biological determinants predictive of maintenance of brain health, and (iii) to evaluate the impact of available cognitive and lifestyle interventions on improving and maintaining brain health and performance.

Conditions

Healthy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• BrainHealth Index Score

  We will assess change on a holistic measure of cognitive, social, well-being, and daily life health on the BrainHealth Index (BHI) across multiple timepoints. Higher score = Better outcome)

  Every 6 months for 10 years

• Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Measure of Neural Correlations

  We will assess change in regional cerebral brain blood flow (using fMRI) in correlation with gains in complex abstraction across multiple timepoints. (higher correlation = better outcome)

  Every 6 months for 10 years

Study Arms (1)

Online SMART Intervention & Stress Solutions

EXPERIMENTAL

Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training (SMART) teaches meta-cognitive strategies for individuals to apply to their daily lives for improved performance

Behavioral: Brain Health Training

Interventions

Brain Health Training BEHAVIORAL

1. On-line SMART - (Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training) is a curriculum that teaches strategies of how to use the brain better, in such a way that may improve brain health and performance. SMART strives to achieve optimal cognitive function realized by the brain's ability to efficiently manage complex information by abstracting its essential meaning rather than attempting to memorize details, and to prioritize the information in order to attend to the most relevant parts. 2. Stress Solutions - provides individuals with practical tools to enhance performance, reduce stress, build resilience and improve quality of life. 3. Brain-Healthy Habits - daily reminders of habits you can track 4. BrainHQ - participants will gain temporary access to the exercise-based cognitive training of BrainHQ after completing their 3rd BrainHealth Index

Online SMART Intervention & Stress Solutions

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
• Northeastern University: collaborator
• Georgia State University: collaborator
• University of Southern California: collaborator
• Inova Health Care Services: collaborator
• Methodist Healthcare: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

The Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas

Dallas, Texas, 75235, United States

RECRUITING

Related Publications (12)

• 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

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: December 2, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)