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 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2026.115121 via OpenAlex
Summary
Magnesium-ibogaine therapy was associated with increased cortical thickness and subcortical volume, as well as a reduction in predicted brain age by 1.3 years at one month compared to baseline. Specifically, there were post-treatment increases in cortical thickness across 11 regions and significant volumetric expansion in 8 subcortical regions. These changes suggest neuroplastic effects, despite the sensitivity of T1 scans to nonstructural alterations.
Study at a glance
| Sample size | 22 |
|---|---|
| Population | individuals undergoing magnesium-ibogaine therapy |
| Key finding | Magnesium-ibogaine therapy led to increased cortical thickness, subcortical expansion, and a reduction in 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.