RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07401225

TMS for PTSD in Youth

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as Treatment for Persistent PTSD in Texas Youth

Sponsor

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Enrollment

20 participants

Start Date

May 9, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Summary

The purpose of this study is to test whether transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, is an acceptable and helpful treatment for ongoing symptoms of posttraumatic stress syndrome disorder (PTSD) in 12-20 year olds. Ongoing PTSD refers to symptoms that continue after completing trauma-focused psychotherapy. About 1 in 4 patients need additional help to overcome PTSD after completing psychotherapy. Currently, scientists do not know the best way to help adolescents with persistent PTSD, and this study will test TMS as a possible treatment, and hopefully lead to future studies including more people.

Eligibility

Min Age: 12 YearsMax Age: 20 Years

Inclusion Criteria5

Males and females; Age 12-20
Have previously completed at least 9 sessions of trauma-focused therapy in our clinical trial or in the community
Have current self-reported symptom score of 20 or greater on the UCLA PTSD Reaction index
Willing to attend 10 TMS treatment sessions within a 30-day period
Fluent in English

Exclusion Criteria7

History of seizures
History of head injury with loss of consciousness and concussive sequelae
Brain abnormality such as tumor or other observable abnormality
Currently receiving psychotherapy or TMS treatment
Currently pregnant
MRI contraindications (metal in body, orthodontic braces)
Diagnosis of bipolar 1 or a psychotic disorder

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Interventions

DEVICEMagPro R30 with robotic arm

TMS will be delivered to the right anterior dorsolateral frontal cortex. The accelerated protocol consists of 1,800 TMS pulses per session, delivered at intensity ranges designed to deliver depth-corrected E-fields of 80-95 volts/meter. The exact intensity will be determined when the participant's treatment plan is developed. Once a patient's TMS treatment plan has been created, it will be used for every treatment session for that participant.