Understanding how sensing sounds and sights affect PTSD
Official title: A Neurosensory Account of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11468475 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study by the University of Texas Health Houston explores how abnormal brain sensing and fear networks contribute to PTSD and how these insights could guide future treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| Award (this year) | $389,233 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132209-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11468475 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with PTSD or those at risk who experience sensory-triggered symptoms may be eligible for future studies or related trials.
✕Less likely to help
People without PTSD or sensory-related symptoms may not directly benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This project looks at how PTSD may arise not just from fear circuits but also from sensory processing areas in the brain. Researchers propose a three-part model—Sensory, Prefrontal, and Amygdala (SPA)—to explain how sensory signals can worsen anxiety and distress in PTSD. They will examine intrinsic, novelty-driven, and threat-related sensory disinhibition and how these disrupt top-down regulation of fear responses. The goal is to identify mechanisms that sustain PTSD symptoms and point toward new intervention targets that address sensory dysregulation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform new approaches for treating PTSD by targeting sensory processing pathways alongside fear circuits.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research shows links between sensory processing and fear circuits in PTSD, but this project aims to clarify mechanisms and translational implications.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Wen — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Li, Wen
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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.