Neural Connectivity During Therapy for Adolescent PTSD

Launched by THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT SAN ANTONIO · Jun 14, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring how therapy can help teenagers with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by studying the changes in their brains during treatment. PTSD can develop in young people after they experience serious trauma, affecting their ability to think, socialize, and handle emotions. By using advanced brain imaging techniques, the researchers aim to understand how specific phases of trauma-focused therapy can create positive changes in the brain, which could lead to better treatments in the future.

To participate in this study, teenagers aged 12 to 17 who have experienced interpersonal trauma and show symptoms of PTSD may be eligible. However, those with certain conditions, such as severe suicidal thoughts, current psychiatric medication use, or specific medical issues, will not qualify. Participants can expect to undergo therapy while their brain activity is monitored, helping researchers learn more about how therapy works for young people with PTSD. This study is currently recruiting participants, and all genders are welcome to apply.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • ages 12-17 and Tanner stage 2 or above
• • history of interpersonal trauma
• • PTSD symptoms with a rating of '2' or higher on at least one symptom from each of the 4 clusters, using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Children and Adolescents, and having a duration of at least one month
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • current or past use of psychiatric medications
• • severe suicidal/homicidal ideation
• • current hospitalization
• • other current psychotherapy or previous treatment with TF-CBT
• • history of head injury with loss of consciousness for \>5 minutes
• • IQ\<85
• • major medical illness
• • MRI contraindications (metal in body; braces on teeth)
• • psychosis, bipolar 1, autism, developmental disorder, panic disorder
• • first-degree family member with diagnosis of psychosis or bipolar I disorder
• • substance dependence within the past 3 months or current drug use that is frequent