Understanding how PTSD affects self-control and brain function
Official title: Characterizing the behavioral and neural mechanisms of inhibitory control dysfunction in PTSD.
Funded at VA Boston Health Care System · NIH-11617299 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how PTSD changes the brain’s control over thoughts and actions, and how this might affect Veterans’ daily lives and responses to treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Boston Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2024 |
| Project end | September 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5I01CX002711-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11617299 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans or individuals with PTSD, particularly post-9/11 Veterans, may be eligible if they meet the study's criteria.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without PTSD or those not meeting study criteria may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project focuses on inhibitory control, or the ability to resist reflexive actions, as a key factor in PTSD. It aims to map how neural circuits support different types of control, including hot emotional distractions and cool neutral information. The goal is to see whether PTSD-related control problems are separate from other cognitive deficits and how brain activity relates to treatment outcomes. The study will use behavioral tasks and brain measurements to compare PTSD-related issues with general executive function and fear extinction processes. Outcomes could point to more targeted approaches to help Veterans manage symptoms and improve therapy effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to better-tailored treatments that address the specific brain-based control problems seen in PTSD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked inhibitory control deficits to PTSD and treatment response, but this study seeks to clarify distinct neural mechanisms and overlaps.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Boston Health Care System
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Degutis, Joseph Michael — VA Boston Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Degutis, Joseph Michael
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Ketamine to boost fear extinction and memory on PTSD patients
A study testing whether ketamine can help people with PTSD better relearn and forget fear when given in a guided treatment plan.
-
Treating PTSD and opioid use disorder in residential care with Written Exposure Therapy (WEST)
A short, patient-friendly plan to adapt a proven PTSD therapy for people with opioid use disorder in residential treatment and test its practicality and impact.
-
Dynamic PTSD-Related Cognitive Risk in Aging WTC Responders
This project follows World Trade Center responders as they age to understand how PTSD symptoms relate to changes in thinking skills over time.
-
Identifying brain proteins linked to PTSD and alcohol use disorder
Researchers are studying brain proteins that may contribute to PTSD and alcohol use disorder in US veterans to find new ways to help people who struggle with both conditions.
-
Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy for Veterans with Social Anxiety and PTSD Symptoms
A clinical trial tests whether a flexible brain-behavior therapy helps veterans with social anxiety and PTSD symptoms feel better and engage more in daily life.
-
PTSD and Autoimmune Diseases: How PTSD Might Cause or Change Risk and What Might Help
This project looks at whether PTSD in Veterans affects the risk of autoimmune diseases and whether there are factors that influence that risk.
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.