Brain stimulation to help people with PTSD manage arousal during exposure
A mechanistic trial of the neurobiology of extinction learning and intraparietal sulcus stimulation
This project will try a brief, noninvasive brain stimulation to a parietal brain region to lower extreme arousal so people with PTSD can learn better during exposure-like exercises.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11232371 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you'll take part in exposure-like learning while receiving either real or sham continuous theta burst stimulation (a short form of TMS) to a brain area called the intraparietal sulcus. Participants will be classified as over-engagers (too much arousal) or under-engagers (avoiding upset) and receive either extinction training or neutral training along with real or sham stimulation. The study compares these groups to see whether IPS stimulation brings arousal into a helpful range and improves retention of the learning. The research team has prior evidence that stimulating the IPS can reduce excessive arousal in people without PTSD and is now testing this approach in patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults diagnosed with PTSD who show either excessive arousal during exposure tasks or who avoid emotional engagement are the most likely candidates for this protocol.
Not a fit: People without PTSD, those whose symptoms are not driven by arousal dysregulation, or individuals with contraindications to TMS (such as certain implanted metal or electronic devices) may not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make exposure-based treatments easier to tolerate and more effective for some people with PTSD by reducing harmful arousal during learning.
How similar studies have performed: Lab studies show IPS stimulation can lower arousal in healthy volunteers, but combining IPS cTBS with extinction training in PTSD is a novel, unproven clinical approach.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brown, Lily a — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Brown, Lily a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.