Increased cortical thickness and decreased brain age among special operations veterans with blast TBI after a magnesium-ibogaine protocol
Andrew D. Geoly, John P. Coetzee, Derrick Matthew Buchanan, Wiebke Struckmann, Bora Kim, Malvika Sridhar, Azeezat Azeez, Jennifer I. Lissemore, Kirsten Cherian, Afik Faerman, Jackob N. Keynan, Prakamya Singal, Alaa Shanbour, Igor Bandeira, Ian H. Kratter, Maheen M. Adamson, Manish Saggar, Cammie Rolle, Nolan Williams
iScience February 21, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2026.115121 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn a small study of 22 military veterans with traumatic brain injury, a single treatment with magnesium-ibogaine was associated with changes in brain structure one month later. Brain scans showed an average reduction in predicted brain age of 1.3 years, increased thickness in 11 cortical regions, and volume expansion in 8 subcortical regions. While the authors note that the imaging technique can also reflect nonstructural changes, the overall pattern of results is consistent with neuroplastic change.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Longitudinal cohort study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 22 |
| Population | Military veterans with traumatic brain injury |
| Intervention | Magnesium-ibogaine therapy |
| Dose | 800 mg |
| Duration | 1-month follow-up |
| Keywords | Protocol science Traumatic brain injury Brain aging Neurology Neurointensive care |
| Key finding | Magnesium-ibogaine therapy was associated with increased cortical thickness, subcortical expansion, and reduced predicted brain age at one month. |
Abstract
= 22). Longitudinal analyses assessed cortical thickness, subcortical volume, and predicted brain age (pBA), estimated from T1 scans. pBA was significantly reduced at 1 month relative to baseline (-1.3 years). Cortical thickness analysis revealed post-treatment increases in 11 regions. Subcortical analyses revealed significant volumetric expansion in 8 regions. Magnesium-ibogaine therapy was associated with increased cortical thickness, subcortical expansion, and reduced pBA at 1 month. Although T1s are sensitive to nonstructural changes, the overall direction of effect is consistent with neuroplastic change.