Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common mental health problem that leads to great suffering as well
as significant costs to the people afflicted with this disorder and to society. PTSD is a chronic and disabling
problem that develops after a trauma. People with PTSD suffer from problems controlling several types of
emotion, including fear, anxiety, anger, and depression. The risk of developing PTSD is higher in the U.S.
military than in the general U.S. population with about 19% of people in military suffering from this problem
during their lifetime. By employing a team of experts in a wide range of areas of study, this research aims to
improve treatments for veterans and people in the military with PTSD resulting from combat.
We will investigate a new idea that individuals suffering from combat-related PTSD can be trained to control
activity in brain regions that are involved in emotion. This increased ability to control emotion-related brain
areas will reduce PTSD symptoms. We also will use novel research techniques termed real-time functional
magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (rtfMRI-nf) and electroencephalography (EEG), which will allow
us to analyze brain activity as it occurs. We are then able to show people information about activity in the brain
as it happens, which helps them learn to control it.
Our goal is to transform this novel research and technique into a treatment that can be easily deployed and will
improve the treatment of combat-related PTSD and the mental health of our veterans and people in the military
both in the short- and long-term. This research would provide both mental healthcare providers and scientists
with new insights into how the brain is involved in combat-related PTSD.
We anticipate that our project will have multiple specific impacts for veterans, people in the military, and
people working to understand and treat PTSD. First, it will provide a novel way to treat PTSD that is safe and
not invasive. Second, it will help guide efforts to develop treatments that use EEG information to help people
learn to control emotion areas in the brain. Third, this research will stimulate more novel research that seeks to
translate state-of-the-art technology into improved treatments for PTSD. Finally, it will advance our
understanding of recovery from combat-related PTSD, which will have an immediate and significant impact on
improving the rehabilitation, reintegration, and overall quality of life for veterans and members of the military
with PTSD as well as their families and communities.
Eligibility
Male veterans with combat experience
Age 18â€"55
Not currently taking psychiatric medications
Current PTSD diagnosis or no history of PTSD
Symptoms of PTSD include
aggression
anxiety
depression
flashbacks
insomnia
irritability
nightmares
social withdrawal
trouble concentrating
Compensation provided.
For more information about this study please call 918-502-5159 or email
[email protected].
