Investigating brain stimulation to treat anxiety in PTSD patients
Official title: Targeting the Default Mode Network: A TMS-fMRI Study
Funded at Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research · NIH-10763397 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special treatment called rTMS can help reduce anxiety in people with PTSD by targeting specific areas of the brain, and it’s designed for those who want to find new ways to feel better after experiencing trauma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Palo Alto, United States) |
| Project start | January 16, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $177,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21MH129799-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10763397 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with PTSD who experience significant anxiety symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have PTSD or those whose anxiety symptoms are not related to traumatic experiences may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how targeting specific brain networks, particularly the default mode network (DMN), can help alleviate anxiety symptoms in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Using a technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), the study aims to modulate brain activity in areas associated with anxiety and traumatic memories. By focusing on the left hemisphere of the brain, the researchers hope to discover new ways to improve treatment outcomes for PTSD patients. Participants will undergo rTMS sessions while their brain activity is monitored using functional MRI (fMRI) to assess the effects of the stimulation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for anxiety symptoms in PTSD patients.
How similar studies have gone: While this approach is novel in targeting the DMN for PTSD treatment, previous studies have shown success in using rTMS for other mental health conditions, indicating potential for positive outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research
Palo Alto, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rosen, Allyson C — Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research
- Study coordinator: Rosen, Allyson C
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.