Actively Recruiting
A Mechanistic Trial of the Neurobiology of Extinction Learning and Intraparietal Sulcus Stimulation
Led by University of Pennsylvania · Updated on 2025-10-30
120
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
235 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This study will be the first of its kind to explore the impact of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) to the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) on arousal symptoms among patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The investigators will demonstrate that IPS cTBS results in significant reduction in arousal (measured by startle response) compared to sham cTBS, that IPS cTBS interacts with extinction training to further improve arousal, and that there is a dose/response effect of cTBS on arousal. The investigators will also demonstrate that IPS cTBS significantly improves retention of extinction learning, the experimental analogue of exposure therapy.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
A Mechanistic Trial of the Neurobiology of Extinction Learning and Intraparietal Sulcus Stimulation
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adult aged 18-60
- Meets Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria for PTSD according to the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5
- No metal implants
You will not qualify if you...
- Pregnancy
- Seizure disorder or epilepsy
- Increased risk of seizure
- Non-English speaking
- Any medical condition that increases risk for fMRI or cTBS
- Medical implant
- Hearing loss sufficient to interfere with startle
- Claustrophobia
- Recent medication or therapy changes (in the past 8 weeks)
- Current severe substance use disorder
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety, University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
L
Lily A Brown, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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