Testing a Causal Model of Cognitive Control Deficits in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Testing a Causal Model of Cognitive Control Deficits in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Detailed Description
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The purpose of the present study is to examine the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on cognitive control among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Official Title
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Testing a Causal Model of Cognitive Control Deficits in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Conditions
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PTSD

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Over 18 years of age Endorse lifetime exposure to at least one Criterion A traumatic event Report clinically significant posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (score of ≥ 33 on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 [PCL-5]). Exclusion Criteria: Endorse medical contraindication for neuromodulation (e.g., ferrous metal in head, seizure disorder, brain tumor, stroke, aneurysm, multiple sclerosis, etc.) Report an unstable medical condition or any current medical condition that precludes safe participation in the trial (e.g., unstable metabolic abnormality, unstable angina, etc.) Report any history or diagnosis of dementia or other cognitive disorder, which may interfere with engagement Report any history or diagnosis of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Report any history or diagnosis of Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Delusional Disorder or other psychotic illness, which precludes safe participation in the trial Report a primary obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) diagnosis Report an active substance use disorder (within last 3 months) or any current substance use that precludes safe participation in the trial Report suicide risk that precludes safe participation in the trial, defined as clinical impression that the participant is at significant risk for suicide (i.e., greater than moderate level of suicide risk, in accordance with the Joiner et al. (1999) suicide risk framework) Report an inability to stop taking any medication that significantly lowers the seizure threshold (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, clozapine, etc.) Report a current, planned, or suspected pregnancy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Each participant will receive stimulation to two brain areas (right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and vertex) in a counterbalanced order.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intermittent theta burst stimulation to right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex<br>Participants will receive intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) to the experimental target area, the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (rDLPFC) | Procedure: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)<br>* Participants will receive intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) to two brain areas, the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (rDLPFC) and the vertex.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Intermittent theta burst stimulation to vertex of the skull<br>Participants will receive intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) to the active comparator area, the vertex of the skull | Procedure: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)<br>* Participants will receive intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) to two brain areas, the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (rDLPFC) and the vertex.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Performance on emotional working memory task | Accuracy and reaction time on a task measuring working memory in the presence of trauma-related distractor images | 5 hours | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation