Threat-related Sensory Cortical Disinhibition and SPA Pathology in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Using Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) and Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation (tRNS)

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the underlying brain mechanisms related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using a neuroscience approach. The study aims to understand how abnormal sensory cortex and amygdala-prefrontal cortex activity contribute to PTSD symptoms. It also evaluates how Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS), a brain stimulation technique, might influence neural networks and reduce anxiety symptoms like heightened arousal and hypervigilance. The study involves 160 participants, including 80 healthy individuals and 80 people with PTSD, who are randomly assigned to one of three groups. One group receives tACS at their individual alpha brainwave frequency, another receives sham (placebo) stimulation, and the third receives transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) as an active control. Stimulation is applied using electrodes placed in an EEG cap for 10 to 40 minutes. During the study, participants complete tasks involving visual search and smell detection with both threatening and neutral stimuli, while brain activity is recorded using EEG and fMRI before and after stimulation. Participants will take part in brain scans and behavioral assessments during the sessions. Researchers will measure changes in brain electrical activity, blood flow in brain regions, accuracy and speed in visual and smell tasks, and physiological responses like skin conductance before and after stimulation. The study includes monitoring for safety and evaluates how brain stimulation affects neural oscillations and related behaviors. Participation lasts through the stimulation sessions and immediate post-stimulation assessments.

A Neurosensory Account of Anxiety and Stress (Study 2)