RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT05560113

Disrupting Fear-based Memory Consolidation

Forgetting Fear: Establishing a Novel Non-invasive Approach to Disrupt Fear-based Sensory Memory Consolidation in Humans

Sponsor

Emory University

Enrollment

66 participants

Start Date

Nov 28, 2022

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Summary

This project represents a unique collaborative opportunity to pursue the essential proof-of-principle demonstration that non-invasive interference of sensory cortical memory consolidation shortly after an emotional experience can attenuate the cued fear response and potentially reduce the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If successful, the study results would anchor a potential advance in the treatment of patients after a traumatic event and seed future animal and clinical studies of emotional sensory cortical memory consolidation to reduce the prevalence and negative sequelae of PTSD.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 65 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is testing whether a brain stimulation technique (called transcranial magnetic stimulation or TMS) used right after a fearful experience can disrupt how that fear memory gets stored in the brain. The goal is to develop better treatments for PTSD by interfering with the fear memory consolidation process. **You may be eligible if:** - You are able to give informed consent - You are willing to participate in the study - You have no history of musculoskeletal or neurological disease - You have been clinically diagnosed with PTSD (for the PTSD group) **You may NOT be eligible if:** - You are outside the specified age range for the study - You show signs of dementia (scoring below 20 on a cognitive screening test) - You have a history of major head trauma, a neurodegenerative disorder, or recent (within 6 months) substance abuse - You are currently taking psychoactive medications - You have symptoms of psychosis or bipolar disorder - You are pregnant - You have contraindications to TMS or MRI Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

Interested in this trial?

Get notified about updates and connect with the research team.

Interventions

OTHERContinuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS)

cTBS, a patterned form of TMS, (80% active motor threshold intensity, 3 pulses at 50Hz, 200ms interval, 600 pulses, 40s duration applied over the targeted sensory cortical region using real-time neuronavigation to focally and transiently inhibit neural activity

OTHERSham continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS)

This will be a sham intervention. An active/sham stimulating coil will be used for double-blinding of stimulation condition. cTBS is safe and has established safety guidelines that will be strictly adhered to during study conduction.