Brain Imaging Research Study

Dr. Bradley Peterson and his research team at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles are partnering with generally healthy adults who do not have a history of trauma to develop a new behavioral treatment for trauma. Join our compensated study today!

Fast Facts

18-65 Years Old

No History of Trauma

Compensation Provided

LA, Ventura, Kern, San Bernardino, Orange, & San Diego Counties

Study Background

The Effects of Very Brief Exposure on PTSD

This research study aims to develop a new behavioral treatment for future patients with PTSD, phobias, and a wide range of other fear- and trauma-related conditions in a variety of clinical populations. This is based on a strategy called Very Brief Exposure (VBE). The study will use fMRI brain scans to assess brain activity in response to VBE stimuli.

Participation will take about 4 hours in total over 2 study visits. You may be eligible for this study if you are a healthy adult without current mental health conditions or history of trauma.

Your participation may help researchers improve treatment approaches for fear- and trauma-related conditions.

This research study is located at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles: 4050 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027.

Study Background

The Effects of Very Brief Exposure on PTSD in U.S. Combat Veterans

This research study aims to develop a new behavioral treatment for future patients with PTSD, phobias, and a wide range of other fear- and trauma-related conditions in a variety of clinical populations. This is based on a strategy called Very Brief Exposure (VBE). The study will use fMRI brain scans to assess brain activity in response to VBE stimuli.

Participation will take about 4 hours in total over 2 study visits. You may be eligible for this study if you are a healthy adult without current mental health conditions or history of trauma.

Your participation may help researchers improve treatment approaches for veterans and other populations in the treatment of fear- and trauma-related conditions.

This research study is located at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles: 4050 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027.

Additional Information

This study is being done to learn more about how fear works in the brain and whether a larger study for PTSD treatment is feasible. The information from the research will be used to develop a new behavioral treatment for a wide range of fear and trauma-related conditions.

You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.

Key Criteria:

  • 18-65 years old
  • No history of traumatic events
  • No major psychiatric disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD)
  • No PTSD diagnosis
  • Able to undergo an MRI (no non-removable metal on or in your body)

This research study is voluntary. Once enrolled, this study involves:

  • Visit 1: virtual interviews and assessments

  • Visit 2: in person interviews/assessments and MRI

Your total time commitment will be about 4 hours.

Compensation is provided up to $225 for your time. Transportation reimbursement is also available.

There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.

  1. Interviews: You could feel embarrassed or uncomfortable about questions that you are asked in the study. You can choose to skip or stop answering any questions that make you feel uncomfortable.
  2. MRI Scan: Lying still on the scanning table may be slightly uncomfortable. Sometimes people say that during the MRI scan, they feel a funny “tingling.” Some people feel nervous when they are inside the scanner because they do not like small spaces.
  3. Stimulus viewing: The stimuli that you will likely be able to see will be scenes from combat. You may experience some fear/anxiety at those times. At no point will you be in danger, and the fear/anxiety will pass shortly after.
  4. Confidentiality: As this study involves the use of your identifiable, personal information, there is a chance that a loss of confidentiality may occur. The researchers have procedures in place to lessen the possibility of this happening.

For further information, you can e-mail the study team at brainimaginglab@chla.usc.edu or call (323)361-6456.