LIFU Mechanisms for PTSD in Healthcare Workers
Eligible age
18–65 yrs
Accepts
All genders
Locations
1 state
Healthy volunteers
No
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About this study
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) of the ventral anterior cingulate cortex (vACC) can normalize dysfunctional brain activation patterns and behaviors in frontline healthcare workers with post-traumatic stress disorder. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does LIFU of the vACC effect activity and connectivity of the vACC and amygdala? * Does LIFU of the vACC reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms? Researchers will compare LIFU to sham modulation to see if LIFU modulates activity of vACC-amygdala circuitry and affects threat sensitivity and emotion regulation. Participants will: * Complete two fMRI sessions (before and after LIFU) * Receive a single session of LIFU or sham modulation of the vACC * Wear a wearable device that tracks sleep and heart rate metrics
Sponsor: Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Inc.
You may qualify if…
- ✓ 1. Adults in a frontline healthcare position (e.g. emergency medical services)
- ✓ 2. Ages 18-65 years
- ✓ 3. PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) score ≥ 33 and \< 65, OR at least partial PTSD as measured by the MINI
- ✓ 4. English proficiency as evaluated by language ability during screening
You may not qualify if…
- ✕ 1. Neurological disorders
- ✕ 2. DSM-5 diagnosis of psychotic disorders, eating disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, moderate to severe alcohol or substance use disorder within the past year, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder with psychosis
- ✕ 3. Suicidal intent or plan (as measured by Suicide-Risk-Assessment-C-SSRS "Yes" answers to items 3, 4 or 5 of Suicidal Ideation-Past 1 month section, or any "Yes" answer to any of the items of Suicidal Behavior-Past 3 months section), or any suicide attempt in the last 3 months.
- ✕ 4. History of severe traumatic brain injury (as indicated by score ≥ 3 on the Tulsa Head Injury Screen) or of skull fractures
- ✕ 5. Contraindications to MRI as determined by the MR Environment Screening
- ✕ 6. Pregnancy, determined by urine pregnancy test administered prior to every MRI scanning procedure
- ✕ 7. Evidence of inability to comply with study procedures based on experimenter judgement.
- ✕ 8. Change in the dose or prescription of a medication within the 6 weeks before enrolling in the study that could affect brain functioning, e.g., anxiolytics, antipsychotics, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, or mood stabilizers.
Where it's recruiting
Tulsa
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT07164105 · last updated 2026-04-20