Neural Connectivity During Therapy for Adolescent PTSD

Description

Posttraumatic stress disorder in adolescence impairs neurobiological networks underlying cognitive, social and emotional skills. Neuroimaging research that seeks to identify the neural mechanisms of treatments for PTSD could lead to novel treatments, but progress has been slow using current methods. The proposed study uses an innovative approach to identify neural mechanisms of specific phases of trauma-focused therapy for youth with PTSD, allowing a new understanding of brain changes associated with the process of therapy.

Conditions

PTSD, Adolescent, Psychological Trauma

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Posttraumatic stress disorder in adolescence impairs neurobiological networks underlying cognitive, social and emotional skills. Neuroimaging research that seeks to identify the neural mechanisms of treatments for PTSD could lead to novel treatments, but progress has been slow using current methods. The proposed study uses an innovative approach to identify neural mechanisms of specific phases of trauma-focused therapy for youth with PTSD, allowing a new understanding of brain changes associated with the process of therapy.

Neural Connectivity Before and After Each of the Three Treatment Phases of Trauma-focused Therapy for Adolescent Posttraumatic Stress

Neural Connectivity During Therapy for Adolescent PTSD

Condition
PTSD
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

San Antonio

UT Health Department of Psychiatry, San Antonio, Texas, United States, 78229

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

  • * ages 12-17 and Tanner stage 2 or above
  • * history of interpersonal trauma
  • * PTSD symptoms with a rating of '2' or higher on at least one symptom from each of the 4 clusters, using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Children and Adolescents, and having a duration of at least one month
  • * current or past use of psychiatric medications
  • * severe suicidal/homicidal ideation
  • * current hospitalization
  • * other current psychotherapy or previous treatment with TF-CBT
  • * history of head injury with loss of consciousness for \>5 minutes
  • * IQ\<85
  • * major medical illness
  • * MRI contraindications (metal in body; braces on teeth)
  • * psychosis, bipolar 1, autism, developmental disorder, panic disorder
  • * first-degree family member with diagnosis of psychosis or bipolar I disorder
  • * substance dependence within the past 3 months or current drug use that is frequent

Ages Eligible for Study

12 Years to 17 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio,

Amy Garrett, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio

Study Record Dates

2027-02-28