Accelerated brain stimulation for PTSD tailored to your brain map

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This pilot study aims to test the feasibility, safety, and early efficacy of personalized, MRI-guided accelerated continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in adults with PTSD. Participants undergo resting-state fMRI to identify a personalized target based on brain connectivity with the amygdala, then receive 50 TMS sessions over five consecutive days. The approach uses a 1.5T MRI for planning and a neuronavigation-guided TMS protocol to deliver stimulation at a high rate over the identified spot. Safety is monitored through reported adverse effects like headaches, and PTSD symptom changes are measured with standard scales.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria

Participants must meet ALL of the following criteria:

1. Age 18-65 years (inclusive)
2. DSM-5 diagnosis of PTSD confirmed by Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5)
3. PCL-5 total score ≥33 (indicating at least moderate symptom severity)
4. PTSD symptom duration ≥3 months
5. If taking psychotropic medications, stable dose for ≥6 weeks prior to enrollment with no planned changes during study participation
6. Able to provide written informed consent
7. English-speaking (required for validated assessment measures)
8. Able to attend daily treatment sessions for 5 consecutive weekdays
9. Eligible for 1.5T MRI scanning (no contraindications)

Exclusion Criteria

Participants meeting ANY of the following criteria will be excluded:

TMS Contraindications:

1. Conductive, ferromagnetic, or other magnetic-sensitive metals implanted in the head or within 30 cm of the TMS coil (excluding the mouth), including:

   * Cochlear implants
   * Deep brain stimulators
   * Vagus nerve stimulators
   * Aneurysm clips or coils
   * Stents in the neck or brain
   * Electrodes
   * Any implanted electronic devices
2. History of seizure disorder (excluding single childhood febrile seizure)
3. First-degree family member with epilepsy
4. History of significant head trauma with loss of consciousness \>10 minutes
5. History of stroke, brain tumor, or other neurological disorder
6. Neurosurgical procedures involving brain tissue

MRI Contraindications:

1. Implanted medical devices incompatible with MRI
2. Claustrophobia preventing MRI scan completion
3. Body size preventing MRI scanner entry

Psychiatric Exclusions:

1. Lifetime history of psychotic disorder (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder)
2. Lifetime history of bipolar I disorder
3. Current (within past month) moderate or severe substance use disorder per DSM-5 criteria
4. Current active suicidal ideation with intent or plan (Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale score ≥4)
5. Psychiatric hospitalization within past 3 months

   Medical Exclusions:
6. Unstable medical condition that, in the investigator's judgment, would interfere with study participation or pose safety risk
7. Pregnancy or breastfeeding (females of childbearing potential must have negative urine pregnancy test at screening)
8. Prior TMS treatment within past 3 months
9. Current participation in another interventional research study
10. Initiation of psychotherapy specifically for PTSD within past 3 months (stable ongoing therapy is permitted)

Where it's running

• Cognitive FX TMS Clinic
  Provo, Utah, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Lynn Gaufin, MD
• Email: tms.info@cognitivefxusa.com
• Phone: 385-446-4158

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.