Improving Therapeutic Learning for PTSD

Description

The proposed project seeks to demonstrate the engagement of post-exposure dopamine neurotransmission and downstream acute reorganization of dopaminergic resting-state neural networks as a means of increasing consolidation of extinction memories formed during analogue exposure therapy in adult women with PTSD. Participants will include 120 women aged 21-50 with a current diagnosis of PTSD related to physical or sexual assault, English speaking, and medically healthy. Participants will complete the stages of the study across 2-3 days, depending on participant need.

Conditions

PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Talk to us

Study Overview

On this page

Study Details

Study overview

The proposed project seeks to demonstrate the engagement of post-exposure dopamine neurotransmission and downstream acute reorganization of dopaminergic resting-state neural networks as a means of increasing consolidation of extinction memories formed during analogue exposure therapy in adult women with PTSD. Participants will include 120 women aged 21-50 with a current diagnosis of PTSD related to physical or sexual assault, English speaking, and medically healthy. Participants will complete the stages of the study across 2-3 days, depending on participant need.

Improving Therapeutic Learning for PTSD

Improving Therapeutic Learning for PTSD

Condition
PTSD
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Austin

University of Texas, Austin, Texas, United States, 78701

Madison

University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States, 53593

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Current diagnosis of PTSD where the index traumatic event includes physical or sexual assault
  • * English speaking
  • * Medically healthy
  • * internal ferromagnetic objects (such as electronic devices, surgical implants, shrapnel, etc.)
  • * major medical disorders (such as cancer)
  • * psychotic disorders
  • * neurocognitive disorders
  • * developmental disorders
  • * pregnancy
  • * breastfeeding
  • * use of Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO-I) in past two weeks is exclusionary
  • * heart disease
  • * hepatic impairment
  • * peptic ulcer disease
  • * COPD
  • * prescription medications that may interact with L-DOPA will not be permitted during a predetermined wash-out period
  • * Claustrophobia, or the inability to lie still in a confined space
  • * Major medical disorders (e.g., HIV, cancer)
  • * Magnetic metallic implants (such as screws, pins, shrapnel remnants, aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, inner ear (cochlear) implants, artificial joints, and vascular stents), as these may heat, pull, or twist in the strong magnetic field of the MRI scanner
  • * Electronic or magnetic implants, such as pacemakers, as these may stop working
  • * Permanent makeup or tattoos with metallic dyes
  • * A positive pregnancy test (for females), since the effect of strong magnetic fields and L-Dopa on the developing fetus remains unknown and inconclusive. (all female participants of childbearing potential will have a pregnancy test on the day of the MRI scan. Participants who test positive would be notified of this positive result)
  • * A self-reported history of loss of consciousness (greater than 30 minutes)
  • * Physical disabilities that prohibit task performance (such as blindness or deafness)
  • * Psychotic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia)
  • * Any other condition that the investigator believes might put the participant at risk
  • * Medications which may affect image quality (e.g., water pills)
  • * Nonremovable dental implants, such as braces or upper permanent retainers, as these will distort the MRI images we collect (note: filings, crowns, and silver or gold teeth are OK)
  • * Any other condition, medication, or implant that the investigator believes would degrade image quality or render data unusable

Ages Eligible for Study

21 Years to 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Wisconsin, Madison,

Zachary Stowe, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Wisconsin, Madison

Study Record Dates

2023-12