RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07245641

Targeted Accelerated TMS for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Sponsor

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Enrollment

40 participants

Start Date

Dec 15, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Summary

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent and debilitating condition among veterans and active-duty military personnel, with rates as high as 30% in certain combat-exposed populations. Conventional treatments such as prolonged exposure therapy and pharmacotherapy have limited efficacy and high dropout rates, highlighting the need for novel, rapidly effective interventions. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been well established for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Traditional TMS, which involves 6 to 7 weeks of daily, weekday scalp-targeted treatment, shows open-label response and remission rates of 58.1% and 30%, respectively. However, such protocols may be impractical for military personnel with limited medical leave. A new form of accelerated TMS (aTMS) that involves 10 imaging-guided treatments per day for 5 consecutive days has demonstrated substantial antidepressant benefits within days and response rates of 69% at 1-month follow-up. This protocol has not been tested for PTSD, in part because there was no causally informed brain circuit target. In this study, the investigators will test aTMS for PTSD using a novel PTSD circuit that the investigators have derived.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 65 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study tests targeted accelerated TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) — a non-invasive brain stimulation technique — as a treatment for PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). The "targeted" approach uses brain imaging to guide the stimulation to the most relevant brain circuits, which may improve outcomes over standard TMS. **You may be eligible if...** - You are 18 to 65 years old - You have a confirmed PTSD diagnosis (DSM-5 criteria) - You have at least moderate PTSD symptoms (score of 21 or higher on the PCL-5 questionnaire) - You are not currently on new or recently changed medications **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You have a history of seizures or epilepsy (TMS can trigger seizures in some people) - You have metal implants in your head (pacemakers, cochlear implants, aneurysm clips) - You have significant other psychiatric disorders - You are currently in an acute psychiatric crisis 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

PROCEDURETranscranial Magnetic Stimulation

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a focal, non-invasive form of brain stimulation that has FDA clearance for depression. In this study, a form of TMS called accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (aiTBS) will be administered under the supervision of a physician with TMS expertise.