Physical activity, endocannabinoids, and decision making in PTSD
Official title: Physical activity, endocannabinoids, and model-based decision making in PTSD
Funded at University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa · NIH-11233018 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small study will test whether a short bout of exercise changes brain signals and decision-making in adults with PTSD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tuscaloosa, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2026 |
| Project end | July 14, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $170,381 |
| NIH project number | 1R03MH138952-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11233018 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older with PTSD who can safely participate in moderate to vigorous aerobic activity.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals unable to safely engage in aerobic exercise or without PTSD may not benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This project looks at how aerobic exercise may influence the body’s endocannabinoid system and improve the way people with PTSD make decisions. Researchers will have adults with PTSD perform a 30-minute workout and then complete decision-making tasks to see if exercise shifts their choices toward more foresighted, model-based decisions. The study builds on prior work showing exercise can boost model-based learning in people with and without PTSD and will measure related biological signals called endocannabinoids. Findings could help tailor physical activity as a way to enhance cognitive therapies for PTSD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could support using targeted exercise to improve decision-making and cognitive flexibility in PTSD, potentially enhancing therapy outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests aerobic exercise can increase model-based learning in PTSD, but this specific approach is exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Crombie, Kevin M — University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
- Study coordinator: Crombie, Kevin M
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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.