RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07079839

A Neurosensory Account of Anxiety and Stress (Study 2)

Threat-related Sensory Cortical (SC) Disinhibition and SPA Pathology in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (Aim 3; Expts. 2&3)

Sponsor

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Enrollment

160 participants

Start Date

Jul 3, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Threat-related Sensory Cortical (SC) Disinhibition

Summary

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.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 50 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is investigating how the brain processes sensory information (such as sights and smells) in people with PTSD compared to healthy individuals, using brain imaging and a mild brain stimulation technique. The goal is to better understand how anxiety and stress affect the nervous system. **You may be eligible if...** - You are between 18 and 50 years old and right-handed - You have normal or corrected vision and a normal sense of smell - Patients: You have a diagnosis of PTSD and have been on stable psychiatric medications for at least 2 months - Healthy controls: You do not have any psychiatric conditions and are not taking psychoactive medications **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You have a history of major medical illness (such as cancer, stroke, or cardiovascular disease) or neurological disorders - You have implanted metal devices (such as a pacemaker) that are incompatible with brain scanning equipment - You drink 3 or more alcoholic beverages per day regularly - You are pregnant - You have had significant head trauma with loss of consciousness over 5 minutes 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.

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Interventions

DEVICETranscranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

A weak electrical current will be passed through the scalp over targeted cortical regions via a transcranial electrical stimulation system (Soterix Medical, Inc), for a span of 10 to 40 minutes at a time. Participants will receive a 2 milliamp (mA) sinusoidal current oscillating at individual participants' baseline peak alpha frequencies (PAF; 7-13 Hz), which will be determined by a 3-min resting state EEG recording during the setup. Current intensities will be modified to address individual participants' subjective reports of discomfort, with a maximum intensity of 2 mA. Stimulation electrodes will be placed within an EEG cap fitted over the participant's head.

DEVICESham for Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS)

Stimulation electrodes will be placed on the scalp, but no current will be passed. Stimulation electrodes will be placed within an EEG cap fitted over the participant's head.

DEVICETranscranial Random Noise stimulation (tRNS)

A weak electrical currents will be passed through the scalp over targeted cortical regions via a transcranial electrical stimulation system (Soterix Medical, Inc), for a span of 10 to 40 minutes at a time. Participants will receive a 2 mA sinusoidal current oscillating at random frequency (1-200 Hz). Current intensities will be modified to address individual participants' subjective reports of discomfort, with a maximum intensity of 2 mA. Stimulation electrodes will be placed within an EEG cap fitted over the participant's head.

Locations(1)

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Houston, Texas, United States

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NCT07079839

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