Diagnosed with PTSD?
Join Our Study!
Join Our Study!
Researchers at Butler Hospital are partnering with individuals living with PTSD to investigate a new approach to treatment.
Compensation Provided
18-70 Years Old
Fast Facts
Diagnosed with PTSD
Conducted in Providence, RI
Study Background
The purpose of our research study is to test whether receiving a low-level electrical current, called transcranial direct current stimulation or tDCS, during or after emotional learning will affect emotional memory.
A core feature of PTSD is a maladaptive fear response and anxiety, where the brain continues to respond to safe situations as if they are dangerous. This study will use tDCS with emotional learning to try and help the brain to remember that things are actually safe.
Your participation in this study may help researchers and clinicians develop better treatments and care plans for individuals with PTSD in the future.
A core feature of PTSD is a maladaptive fear response and anxiety, where the brain continues to respond to safe situations as if they are dangerous. This study will use tDCS with emotional learning to try and help the brain to remember that things are actually safe.
Your participation in this study may help researchers and clinicians develop better treatments and care plans for individuals with PTSD in the future.
Study Background The purpose of our research study is to test whether receiving a low-level electrical current, called transcranial direct current stimulation or tDCS, during or after emotional learning will affect emotional memory. A core feature of PTSD is a maladaptive fear response and anxiety, where the brain continues to respond to safe situations as if they are dangerous. This study will use tDCS with emotional learning to try and help the brain to remember that things are actually safe. Your participation in this study may help researchers and clinicians develop better treatments and care plans for individuals with PTSD in the future. |
Additional Information
Our study aims to test whether receiving a low level of electrical current, called transcranial direct current stimulation or tDCS, during or after emotional learning will affect emotional memory.
You may qualify if you:
- Are between 18-70 years-old
- Speak and read English fluently
- Have no history of closed-head injury or neurological disease
- Have no current or history of psychosis or bipolar depression
- Have no history of epilepsy or seizures
- Are not pregnant
- Have not changed your psychiatric medication in the last 6 weeks
This study will involve up to five study visits.
Visit 1 (3 hours): screening procedures where you'll be asked questions about your past and present mental health and symptoms that you may or may not have experienced.
Visit 2 (1 hour): you may complete an optional MRI brain scan.
Visits 3, 4, and 5 (1 hour each): These visits occur on back-to-back days. You will do a computer task that tests emotional learning and memory. During one of those days, you may or may not also receive a very low level of electrical current through two electrodes attached to your head.
Visit 1 (3 hours): screening procedures where you'll be asked questions about your past and present mental health and symptoms that you may or may not have experienced.
Visit 2 (1 hour): you may complete an optional MRI brain scan.
Visits 3, 4, and 5 (1 hour each): These visits occur on back-to-back days. You will do a computer task that tests emotional learning and memory. During one of those days, you may or may not also receive a very low level of electrical current through two electrodes attached to your head.
Participants will be compensated between $170 and $220 for their time.
Aside from your time and costs associated with travel to the study, there will be no cost to participate in this research study.