Investigating how brain stimulation can improve learning in PTSD patients
Official title: A mechanistic trial of the neurobiology of extinction learning and intraparietal sulcus stimulation
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11009973 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special brain stimulation technique can help people with PTSD manage their emotional responses better during therapy, making it easier for them to learn and heal.
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 start | January 15, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $675,678 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132740-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11009973 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with PTSD who experience difficulties with arousal during therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have PTSD or those whose symptoms are not related to arousal management may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who struggle with managing their arousal levels during therapy. It aims to enhance extinction training, a therapeutic approach for PTSD, by using a technique called continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) on a specific brain region known as the intraparietal sulcus. By comparing the effects of this brain stimulation to a sham treatment, the study seeks to determine if it can help patients better regulate their arousal, thereby improving their ability to learn from therapeutic exposure. The ultimate goal is to make therapy more effective for those who experience extreme emotional responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for PTSD, helping patients learn to manage their symptoms better.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results using brain stimulation techniques to modulate arousal in healthy individuals, suggesting potential for success in this novel application for PTSD.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brown, Lily a — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Brown, Lily a
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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.