Targeted accelerated transcranial magnetic stimulation for PTSD
Targeted Accelerated TMS for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
This trial will test whether short, imaging-guided accelerated transcranial magnetic stimulation (aTMS) can quickly reduce PTSD symptoms in adults with moderate-to-severe PTSD.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Brigham and Women's Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT07245641 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Investigators will conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial that uses each participant's MRI to identify a PTSD-linked brain circuit and then deliver circuit-targeted accelerated TMS over a compressed five-day schedule. The protocol delivers multiple imaging-guided TMS sessions per day (up to ten daily treatments) with follow-up visits to track symptom change. Eligible participants are adults 18–65 with DSM-5 PTSD and at least moderate symptom severity who can maintain stable psychiatric care and medications during the study. The trial builds on lesion-mapping work and small open-label aTMS series that reported rapid symptom improvements but seeks randomized evidence.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18–65 with a DSM-5 diagnosis of PTSD and at least moderate symptoms (PCL-5 ≥21/CAPS-5 diagnosis) who can undergo MRI, keep medications stable, and attend intensive daily treatment visits.
Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant, unable to undergo MRI or TMS, have unstable psychiatric medication regimens, or only have mild PTSD symptoms are less likely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could produce rapid symptom relief within days and higher short-term response and remission rates than conventional multiweek TMS schedules.
How similar studies have performed: Early studies—including lesion-connectivity analyses and small open-label, circuit-targeted aTMS series—have shown promising rapid improvements and high short-term response/remission rates, but randomized controlled data in PTSD remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria * Age 18-65 * DSM-5 diagnosis of PTSD per PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) * At least moderate symptoms of PTSD per PCL-5 (≥21) * English proficiency sufficient to understand risks/benefits * No new medications or medication increases before, during, or after aTMS * Primary clinician (e.g. psychiatrist, therapist, psychologist, APRN, PA, etc.) responsible for psychiatric care before, during, and after the trial * Agreement to lifestyle considerations: * Abstain from becoming pregnant from screening to one-month after treatment (the MRI visit) * Continue usual intake patterns of caffeine- or xanthine-containing products (e.g. coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate) throughout treatment * No changes to routine intake of alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs if patients are using them at baseline for at least 24 hours before the start of each MRI and TMS session
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Interventional Psychiatry Research Group
- Email: bwhtap@mgb.org
- Phone: 6175253526
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.