Understanding how PTSD affects the ability to control impulses and emotions.
Official title: Characterizing the behavioral and neural mechanisms of inhibitory control dysfunction in PTSD.
Funded at VA Boston Health Care System · NIH-10799306 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how PTSD affects the ability to control thoughts and actions, especially in veterans who served after 9/11, to better understand their challenges and help create more effective treatments.
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 | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 1I01CX002711-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10799306 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are post-9/11 Veterans diagnosed with chronic PTSD who experience difficulties with impulse control and emotional regulation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have PTSD or those with other unrelated psychological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the cognitive and neural mechanisms behind inhibitory control dysfunction in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly among post-9/11 Veterans. It aims to differentiate PTSD-related inhibitory control issues from other cognitive deficits and to explore how these impairments affect emotional and neutral information processing. By utilizing advanced assessments and neuroimaging techniques, the study seeks to provide a deeper understanding of how these dysfunctions contribute to the challenges faced by PTSD patients in their daily lives. The findings could lead to more effective treatment strategies tailored to the specific needs of individuals with PTSD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapeutic approaches for managing PTSD symptoms and enhancing the quality of life for affected individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cognitive mechanisms in PTSD, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
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.
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Understanding how PTSD affects self-control and brain function
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.
-
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.
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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.
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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.
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.