PTSD Research Study
Researchers at The University of Pennsylvania are investigating brain stimulation in individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Fast Facts
Diagnosed with and/or Experiencing PTSD
Ages 18-60
Compensation May Be Provided
Conducted in Philadelphia, PA
Study Background
Researchers at The University of Pennsylvania are investigating brain stimulation in individuals with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
In this study, researchers want to understand how using brain stimulation can affect startle responses in people with PTSD. They will look at how anxious feelings affect how easily someone gets startled before and after each time they use the brain stimulation. During the study participants will complete an online screener, a phone screener, a clinical interview, and three brain scans. Participants will also complete a series of computer tasks to assess their reactions to different kinds of content, including some relevant to their trauma. Throughout the study, participants will be randomly assigned to receive either real or fake brain stimulation.
Study Background
Researchers at The University of Pennsylvania are investigating brain stimulation in individuals with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
In this study, researchers want to understand how using brain stimulation can help people with PTSD feel less startled. They will look at how anxious feelings affect how easily someone gets startled before and after each time they use the brain stimulation.
During the study participants will complete an online screener, a phone screener, a clinical interview, and three brain scans. Participants will also complete a series of computer tasks to assess their reactions to different kinds of content, including some relevant to their trauma. Throughout the study, participants will receive a type of brain stimulation that would either be real or fake, determined through the flip of a coin.
Additional Information
This study looks at how using brain stimulation can help people with PTSD feel less jumpy or startled. It also checks how feeling anxious affects how quickly they get frightened, both before and after each stimulation session.
You may qualify for a study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Ages 18-60
- Diagnosed with and/or experiencing PTSD
- Able to undergo MRI
- Speaks English
Exclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of epilepsy or history of seizures
- Increased risk of seizures
- Pregnant or trying to become pregnant
- Recent medication or therapy changes (in the past 8 weeks)
- Hearing loss that might prevent you from hearing sudden or loud noises
There are 6 visits involved in this study, each outlined below:
Visit 1: Participants undergo a clinical interview and assessments to determine their eligibility for the study. They also create scripts describing both a traumatic event and a neutral event, which they later listen to during an fMRI scan.
Visit 2: Involves participants completing a task where they receive electric shocks to their right wrist to establish the appropriate level of annoyance without causing pain. They also fill out questionnaires regarding psychological symptoms and undergo an MRI scan.
Visit 3: Focuses on determining the resting motor threshold for each participant and includes another Script-Driven Imagery task where participants vividly picture their traumatic or neutral event while hearing bursts of white noise. Additionally, participants receive either real or fake Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
Visit 4: Repeats the Script-Driven Imagery task and MRI scan procedures from Visit 3, along with completing the same questionnaires as in Visit 2.
Visit 5: Replicates Visit 3 (determining the resting motor threshold for participants and Script-Driven Imagery task)
Visit 6: Replicates Visit 4 (repeat of Script-Imagery task and MRI scan procedures, as well as questionnaires)
As a participant, you can receive up to $330 for your involvement in this study.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.