Light touches the brain: targeted ultrasound to help frontline workers with PTSD
Official title: Mechanisms of Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Frontline Healthcare Workers
Funded at Laureate Institute for Brain Research · NIH-11460267 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A single, MRI-guided low-intensity focused ultrasound session is being tested to gently modulate a brain circuit involved in PTSD for frontline healthcare workers who have PTSD symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Laureate Institute for Brain Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tulsa, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2017 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $347,681 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM121312-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11460267 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Frontline healthcare workers with PTSD symptoms who can undergo MRI and ultrasound procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without PTSD symptoms or those unable to have MRI-guided ultrasound would be less likely to benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to understand how the ventral anterior cingulate and amygdala work together in frontline healthcare workers with PTSD and whether a personalized, MRI-guided ultrasound session can influence this brain circuit. Researchers will look at baseline brain connectivity, PTSD symptoms, and physiological signals, then apply a targeted LIFU session to the vACC to see if it changes brain activity and related behaviors. The study focuses on a safety-first, single-session approach that could lead to scalable, non-invasive treatment options if effective. Participation would involve imaging procedures and a brief intervention session, with careful monitoring of responses. The findings could move us closer to new brain-based therapies for PTSD in healthcare workers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a non-invasive treatment option to reduce PTSD symptoms in frontline workers.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests modulating fronto-limbic circuits can affect PTSD-related brain activity and symptoms, but this targeted LIFU approach is novel in this population.
Where this research is happening
-
Laureate Institute for Brain Research
Tulsa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Taren, Adrienne a — Laureate Institute for Brain Research
- Study coordinator: Taren, Adrienne 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.