Personalized Brain Stimulation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

This trial explores a new personalized brain stimulation treatment for military service members and veterans with PTSD. The goal is to determine if a tailored brainwave test (EEG) can guide therapy to provide better relief for PTSD symptoms than standard methods. Participants will receive either the personalized brain stimulation, known as Personalized Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (PrTMS), or a placebo-like treatment over six weeks. Researchers will monitor changes in mood, sleep, and overall well-being. Military service members diagnosed with PTSD might be suitable candidates for this study. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could lead to new treatment options for PTSD.

The trial requires that you do not use antipsychotic or anticonvulsant medications. If you have started a new PTSD-specific treatment in the past 4 weeks, you may not be eligible unless your regimen is stable.

A previous study showed that personalized repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (PrTMS) is generally safe for people with PTSD. This treatment uses magnetic fields to stimulate the brain and has FDA approval for treating depression, indicating it is usually well-tolerated. Studies have found that side effects are typically mild, with some people experiencing headaches. Although more research is needed, early findings suggest that PrTMS could be a promising treatment with a good safety profile.¹²³⁴⁵

Researchers are excited about Personalized Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (PrTMS) for PTSD because it offers a tailored approach to brain stimulation. Unlike standard treatments like medication and traditional therapy, PrTMS uses EEG-guided technology to customize stimulation parameters for each patient, adjusting them over time based on ongoing neurocognitive assessments. This personalized method aims to enhance effectiveness and reduce side effects, potentially offering faster relief compared to conventional methods.

Research has shown that personalized repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (PrTMS) can help treat PTSD in veterans. One study found that participants experienced a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms, with an average drop of 23 points on a scale measuring PTSD severity. About two-thirds of the patients reported improvement after 4 to 6 weeks of treatment. This trial will compare two groups: one receiving active PrTMS, which uses brainwave tests (EEG) to customize therapy for each person, and another receiving sham PrTMS, which mimics the sound and sensation of active treatment without delivering a therapeutic magnetic field. These early findings suggest that PrTMS might help reduce PTSD symptoms and improve overall well-being.¹²³⁶⁷