Pathophysiological Understanding and Treatment of PTSD: an rTMS Approach

Summary

In Canada, the prevalence of PTSD is approximately 12%, similar to Canadian military personnel. Current treatments for PTSD are limited in efficacy and durability - indicating a dire need for novel interventions in this population. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has a high degree of safety and has been studied as an intervention for many mental health and neurological conditions; even showing initial promise for PTSD. We propose to study this further in a randomized sham controlled trial of TMS for PTSD.

Conditions

• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
• Brain Injuries
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
• Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
• Biomarkers
• Depression, Anxiety

Interventions

DEVICE

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Right Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) works by delivering a magnetic pulse to a focal brain region. TMS has a high degree of safety and has been studied as an intervention for many mental health and neurological conditions. Repetitive TMS (rTMS) delivers pulses at a set time interval in order to modulate neural activity in that region.

DEVICE

Sham Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

The sham TMS coil will make a similar sound to the real rTMS coil, but will not deliver a magnetic pulse. This is a no-treatment device.

DEVICE

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Right Dorsomedial Prefrontal Cortex

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) works by delivering a magnetic pulse to a focal brain region. TMS has a high degree of safety and has been studied as an intervention for many mental health and neurological conditions. Repetitive TMS (rTMS) delivers pulses at a set time interval in order to modulate neural activity in that region.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Defence Research and Development Canada

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• University of Calgary

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2020-06-01

Primary Completion

2022-02-18

Completion

2022-03-18

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations