Actively Recruiting
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Veterans With PTSD
Led by White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center · Updated on 2026-01-21
20
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
50 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
With this research investigators hope to begin to understand how rTMS can improve posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. TMS improves PTSD through two interrelated mechanisms: change in brain limbic system function and change in systemic inflammatory activation. Participants who decide to join this study, will receive ten rTMS treatments. All participants will undergo a 40-minute rTMS procedure with a member of the study team 10 times over 2-4 weeks. Participants will undergo fMRI scans of the head in order to help researchers better understand potential effects of rTMS on brain activity. In addition, participants will be asked to give two breath and blood samples to look for signs of general inflammation.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Veterans With PTSD
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age between 19 and 70 years
- Eligible for VA healthcare
- Moderate to severe PTSD with a total CAPS score of at least 25 within 7 days of randomization
- Agree to have CAPS audio recorded
- Ability to obtain Motor Threshold using the TMS device during screening
- If female with childbearing potential, use an acceptable method of birth control
- Able to read, understand, and sign the informed consent document
You will not qualify if you...
- Pregnant or lactating woman
- MRI contraindicated
- Current use of clozapine or bupropion over 300mg/day
- Cardiac pacemaker or implantable defibrillator
- Any metal object in the head except dental work
- Significant central nervous system disorder (stroke, brain mass, epilepsy)
- Seizure in the past year
- Current psychosis or mania
- Significant suicidal ideation
- Unstable medical conditions
- Current alcohol or substance use disorder interfering with participation
- CPT or PE for PTSD in past 2 months
- Changes in Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, or Venlafaxine in past 2 months
- Color blind
- Currently participating in other research studies
- Aneurysm clip
- Ocular foreign body (e.g., metal shavings)
- Any implanted device (pumps, infusion devices)
- Shrapnel injuries or metal fragments
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
White River Junction VA Hospital
White River Junction, Vermont, United States, 05001
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
B
Bradley V Watts, MD, MPH
CONTACT
J
Julian Sewall
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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