Actively Recruiting
Multi-session fMRI-Neurofeedback in PTSD
Led by Andrew Nicholson · Updated on 2024-10-09
60
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
122 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
A
Andrew Nicholson
Lead Sponsor
M
McMaster University
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating and highly prevalent psychiatric disorder that develops in the aftermath of trauma exposure (APA, 2013). PTSD has been strongly associated with altered activation patterns within several large-scale brain networks and, as such, it has been suggested that normalizing pathological brain activation may be an effective treatment approach. The objective of this proposed study is to investigate the ability of PTSD patients to self-regulate aberrant neural circuitry associated with PTSD psychopathology using real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) neurofeedback. Here, the investigators are building upon previous single-session pilot studies examining the regulation of the amygdala and the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) in PTSD (Nicholson et al., 2021) (Nicholson et al., 2016) by: (1) Examining the effect of multiple sessions of rt-fMRI neurofeedback and, (2) Comparing PCC- and amygdala-targeted rt-fMRI neurofeedback to sham-control groups with regards to changes in PTSD symptoms and neural connectivity.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Multi-session fMRI-Neurofeedback in PTSD
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Fluent in English
- Comfortable using electronic devices such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone
- Meet criteria for a primary diagnosis of PTSD based on the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5)
- Able to provide written informed consent
You will not qualify if you...
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Serious unstable illnesses including cardiac, hepatic, renal, respiratory, endocrinologic, neurologic, or hematologic diseases
- Contraindications for MRI such as metallic implants
- Neurological diseases, past head injury with loss of consciousness, stroke, or seizures
- Major untreated medical illnesses like cancer or thyroid disorders
- Any condition affecting capacity to give informed consent or adhere to the study
- Active substance use or abuse or substance use disorder in the past three months
- Current or past bipolar disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorders
- Active suicidality or history of pervasive developmental disorders
- Chronic opioid use within the last three months
- Current participation in trauma-focused psychotherapy
- History of claustrophobia
- Previous participation in biofeedback, neurofeedback, or brain stimulation therapy
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Lawson Health Research Institute
London, Ontario, Canada, N6C 2R5
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Andrew A Nicholson, PhD
CONTACT
J
Jonathan M Lieberman, BSc
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
3
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