Investigating the brain mechanisms of PTSD
Intrinsic and Novelty-related Sensory Cortical (SC) Disinhibition and Sensory-Prefrontal-cortex-Amygdala (SPA) Pathology in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (Aims 1 & 2; Expts. 1a &1b)
NA · The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · NCT05895006
This study is testing a new way to understand PTSD by looking at brain activity in people with PTSD and healthy volunteers while using a special type of brain stimulation.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 160 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 50 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Houston, Texas) |
| Trial ID | NCT05895006 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to develop and test a new understanding of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by integrating sensory cortical and amygdala-prefrontal cortex dysfunctions into a model. It involves recruiting 80 healthy participants and 80 patients with PTSD, who will undergo a randomized, double-blind, controlled design. Participants will receive transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at their individual alpha peak frequency or random noise stimulation, while simultaneous EEG-fMRI recordings will be taken to assess brain activity. The study seeks to explore the underlying pathological mechanisms of PTSD through a basic neuroscience approach.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include right-handed individuals aged 18 to 50 with a diagnosis of PTSD and stable psychotropic medication use.
Not a fit: Patients with major medical or neurological disorders, or those with concurrent Axis I diagnoses (except for mild substance use disorder) may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for patients with PTSD.
How similar studies have performed: While this approach is innovative, similar studies have shown promise in understanding brain mechanisms related to PTSD.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Right-handed * With normal or corrected-to-normal vision and normal olfaction * Between the ages of 18 and 50 years * Meeting the tACS screening criteria (see List I below; e.g., lack of a serious head injury or loss of consciousness) * Patients: Diagnosis of PTSD * Patients: If taking psychotropic medications, medication stability in the past 2 months * If having mild substance use disorder (for patients) or occasional substance use, abstention from use 48 hours before the experiment. Exclusion Criteria: * A history of diagnosis for a major medical illness (e.g., cancer, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory disorders) or a neurological disorder (e.g., seizure, stroke, Parkinson's disease). * Patients: Concurrent Axis I diagnosis (depression, anxiety, and mild substance use disorder are allowed given their high comorbidity with PTSD). * Healthy controls: A history of diagnosis for a DSM-5 Axis I disorder or current use of psychoactive medications. * Severe psychiatric instability or severe situational life crises, including evidence of being actively suicidal or homicidal, or any behavior that poses an immediate danger to self or others. * History of head trauma with unconsciousness (\> 5 minutes) * Report that they regularly drink 3 or more alcoholic beverages a day. * Report that they are unable to abstain from substance use (including alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, amphetamines, narcotics, solvents, cocaine, hallucinogens, tranquilizers, barbiturates, etc.) or sleep medication for 48 hours before being scanned. * Are on calcium channel blockers (e.g., verapamil, nifedipine) or alpha-blockers (e.g., prazosin, terazosin) and are unable to stop these medications for a 48-hour period prior to scanning (to exclude the impact of these medications on the interpretation of fMRI/EEG). * Failed Urine Drug Screening Test: A rapid urine screening test that utilizes monoclonal antibodies to detect elevated levels of specific drugs (including alcohol, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, cocaine, marijuana, opiates, etc.) in urine (iCup) * Pregnancy based on urine test. The safety of MR systems has not been established for fetuses * Having electrically, magnetically, or mechanically activated implants (e.g., cardiac pacemakers), because the electromagnetic fields produced by the MR system may interfere with the operation of these devices.
Where this trial is running
Houston, Texas
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston — Houston, Texas, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Wen Li, PhD — The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
- Study coordinator: Wen Li, PhD
- Email: Wen.Li.1@uth.tmc.edu
- Phone: (713) 486-2700
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Intrinsic and Novelty-related Sensory Cortical Disinhibition