Forgetting Fear: Establishing a Novel Non-invasive Approach to Disrupt Fear-based Sensory Memory Consolidation in Humans
Emory University
Summary
This project represents a unique collaborative opportunity to pursue the essential proof-of-principle demonstration that non-invasive interference of sensory cortical memory consolidation shortly after an emotional experience can attenuate the cued fear response and potentially reduce the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If successful, the study results would anchor a potential advance in the treatment of patients after a traumatic event and seed future animal and clinical studies of emotional sensory cortical memory consolidation to reduce the prevalence and negative sequelae of PTSD.
Description
This mechanistic study in humans will study an unexplored precision-based approach of non-invasive neuromodulation of sensory cortex with the aim to prevent PTSD by attenuating the sensory encoding of fear memory. The objective of this project is to explore the basic science and therapeutic potential of sensory-emotional reprogramming in humans, and translate this idea into a precise, individualized treatment to reduce the risk that negative emotional sensory experiences lead to PTSD. Understanding sensory-emotional programming in humans could anchor a breakthrough in the treatment of patients…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Ability to provide informed consent * Willingness to participate in study * No history of musculoskeletal impairment or neurological disease * Clinical diagnosis of PTSD for individuals in the PTSD group. Exclusion Criteria: * Any participant outside the age range * Participants that show signs of dementia (score \< 20 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment) * Participants that have a history of major head trauma, a neurodegenerative disorder, or recent (\<6 months) substance abuse; * Participants that had a recent history of Central Nervous System (CNS) active drugs tha…
Interventions
- OtherContinuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS)
cTBS, a patterned form of TMS, (80% active motor threshold intensity, 3 pulses at 50Hz, 200ms interval, 600 pulses, 40s duration applied over the targeted sensory cortical region using real-time neuronavigation to focally and transiently inhibit neural activity
- OtherSham continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS)
This will be a sham intervention. An active/sham stimulating coil will be used for double-blinding of stimulation condition. cTBS is safe and has established safety guidelines that will be strictly adhered to during study conduction.
Locations (2)
- Emory Rehabilitation HospitalAtlanta, Georgia
- Emory University HospitalAtlanta, Georgia