A Mechanistic Trial of the Neurobiology of Extinction Learning and Intraparietal Sulcus Stimulation

Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

In brief

This study will be the first of its kind to explore the impact of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) to the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) on arousal symptoms among patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The investigators will demonstrate that IPS cTBS results in significant reduction in arousal (measured by startle response) compared to sham cTBS, that IPS cTBS interacts with extinction training to further improve arousal, and that there is a dose/response effect of cTBS on arousal. The investigators will also demonstrate that IPS cTBS significantly improves retention of extinction learning, the experimental analogue of exposure therapy.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT06234969
Run by: University of Pennsylvania
People needed: 120
Starts: 2024-04-29
Expected to finish: 2028-10-31
Last updated by the study team: 2025-10-30

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 60. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

Adult aged 18-60
Meets Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria for PTSD according to the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5
No metal implants

You may not qualify if…

Pregnancy
Seizure disorder or epilepsy
Increased risk of seizure
Non-English speaking
Any medical condition that increases risk for fMRI or cTBS
Medical implant
Hearing loss sufficient to interfere with startle
Claustrophobia
Recent medication or therapy changes (in the past 8 weeks)
Current severe substance use disorder

Where it is running

Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety, University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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