The Influence of Aerobic Exercise on Consolidation of Fear Extinction Learning in PTSD
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Summary
This study aims to test whether aerobic exercise performed after fear extinction learning improves cognitive, physiological, and neural indices of extinction recall in a sample of trauma-exposed men and women with and without posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants will complete a clinical intake visit (Day 0), followed by a three-day fear conditioning (day 1), fear extinction + activity (day 2), and fear extinction recall (day 3) protocol.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–64 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria for PTSD: * male or female sex * right-handed * age 18-64 * a current diagnosis of PTSD where the index event involves interpersonal violence exposure (e.g., physical/sexual assault). Inclusion criteria for the trauma-exposed (without PTSD) control participants includes: * male or female sex * right-handed * age 18-64 * interpersonal violence exposure (e.g., physical/sexual assault). Exclusion Criteria for all participants: * current substance use disorder (other than alcohol, nicotine, or cannabis) * acute suicidality * history of bipolar/psychotic disorder * changes t…
Interventions
- BehavioralExercise
Participants will complete either a 30-minute bout of light-, moderate-, or high-intensity aerobic exercise at one of the visits.
Location
- Wade Hall - University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, Alabama