Actively Recruiting
A Neurosensory Account of Anxiety and Stress (Study 1)
Led by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · Updated on 2025-09-12
160
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
247 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
T
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This study will take a basic neuroscience approach to investigate pathological mechanisms underlying PTSD. Additionally, the study aims to identify how Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) brain stimulation can modulate and correct neural networks and related emotions of anxious arousal and hypervigilance, with the goal of assessing tACS brain stimulation technology as a novel intervention for symptoms of anxiety.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
A Neurosensory Account of Anxiety and Stress (Study 1)
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Right-handed
- Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and normal olfaction
- Between the ages of 18 and 50 years
- Meet the tACS screening criteria, including no serious head injury or loss of consciousness
- For patients: Diagnosis of PTSD
- For patients: Psychotropic medication doses stable for at least 2 months if applicable
- Abstain from substance use 48 hours before the experiment if having mild substance use disorder or occasional use
You will not qualify if you...
- History of major medical illnesses such as cancer, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, or inflammatory disorders
- History of neurological disorders like seizure, stroke, or Parkinson's disease
- For patients: Concurrent Axis I diagnosis except depression, anxiety, or mild substance use disorder
- For healthy controls: History of DSM-5 Axis I disorders or current use of psychoactive medications
- Severe psychiatric instability, active suicidal or homicidal behavior, or any immediate danger to self or others
- Head trauma with unconsciousness longer than 5 minutes
- Regular consumption of 3 or more alcoholic beverages daily
- Inability to abstain from substance or sleep medication use for 48 hours before scanning
- Use of calcium channel blockers or alpha-blockers that cannot be stopped 48 hours before scanning
- Failed urine drug screening test
- Pregnancy based on urine test
- Presence of electrically, magnetically, or mechanically activated implants such as pacemakers
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston, Texas, United States, 77030
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
W
Wen Li, PhD
CONTACT
J
Jada Malveaux, MA
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
3
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