How trauma-focused therapy affects brain function related to rewards
Official title: The effects of trauma-focused psychotherapy on reward circuitry function and information encoding
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11017756 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a type of therapy called cognitive processing therapy (CPT) affects the way the brain responds to rewards in people with PTSD, using brain scans to see what changes happen before and after the therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $654,695 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132784-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11017756 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with PTSD who are experiencing difficulties with positive emotions and reward processing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a PTSD diagnosis or those not experiencing issues with positive affect may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of cognitive processing therapy (CPT) on the brain's reward circuitry in individuals with PTSD. By using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the study aims to understand how CPT alters brain function and information processing during reward learning. The research focuses on the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and ventral striatum, areas associated with reward processing, to assess changes before and after therapy. This approach seeks to uncover the neurobiological mechanisms behind diminished positive emotions often experienced by those with PTSD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapeutic strategies for enhancing positive emotions and overall quality of life in PTSD patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the neurobiological effects of psychotherapy on brain function, indicating that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fonzo, Gregory — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Fonzo, Gregory
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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.