Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Veterans With PTSD

NCT ID: NCT07336251

Last Updated: 2026-01-21

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

20 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2026-01-15

Study Completion Date

2027-01-31

Brief Summary

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With this research investigators hope to begin to understand how rTMS can improve posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. TMS improves PTSD through two interrelated mechanisms: change in brain limbic system function and change in systemic inflammatory activation. Participants who decide to join this study, will receive ten rTMS treatments. All participants will undergo a 40-minute rTMS procedure with a member of the study team 10 times over 2-4 weeks. Participants will undergo fMRI scans of the head in order to help researchers better understand potential effects of rTMS on brain activity. In addition, participants will be asked to give two breath and blood samples to look for signs of general inflammation.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Participants receiving open label trial of TMS

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Intervention Type DEVICE

10 sessions of low frequency rTMS (1Hz) applied to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Interventions

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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

10 sessions of low frequency rTMS (1Hz) applied to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age between 19 and 70
* Eligible for VA healthcare
* Moderate to severe PTSD as determined by a total score of at least 25 on the CAPS within 7 days of randomization.
* Agree to have CAPS audio recorded.
* Ability to obtain a Motor Threshold using the TMS device during screening.
* If female with childbearing potential, use of acceptable method of birth control (i.e., use of contraceptives, abstinence).
* Able to read, understand, and sign the informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria

* Pregnant or lactating woman.
* MRI is contraindicated
* Current use of clozapine (any dose) or bupropion (more than 300mg per day).
* Cardiac pacemaker or implantable defibrillator.
* Presence of any metal object in the head, including cochlear implants, but excluding dental work in the mouth.
* Significant central nervous system disorder (stroke, brain mass, epilepsy).
* Seizure in past one year.
* Current psychosis or mania.
* Significant suicidal ideation.
* Unstable medical conditions.
* Current alcohol or substance use disorder (except nicotine) that interferes with the patient's ability to participate.
* CPT or PE for PTSD in the past 2 months.
* Changes in Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, or Venlafaxine in the past 2 months.
* Color blind
* Currently participating in other research studies.
* Aneurysm Clip
* Ocular foreign body (e.g., metal shavings)
* Any implanted device (pumps, infusion devices, etc.)
* Shrapnel injuries or metal fragments
Minimum Eligible Age

19 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

70 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center

FED

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Bradley Watts

Staff Psychiatrist

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Bradley Watts

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

US Department of Veterans Affairs

Locations

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White River Junction VA Hospital

White River Junction, Vermont, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Bradley V Watts, MD, MPH

Role: CONTACT

802-295-9363 ext. 5235

Julian Sewall

Role: CONTACT

603-266-7140

Facility Contacts

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Bradley Watts, MD, MPH

Role: primary

802-295-9363 ext. 5235

Other Identifiers

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1869595

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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