At a glance
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Real-time Functional MRI and Neurofeedback of Brain Networks Mediating Trauma Memory Recall in PTSD
In Brief
A clinical study evaluating Computational Model - Real-time Support Vector Machine for Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic. Completed, enrolled 30 participants across 1 site.
Detailed Summary
The purpose of the current study is to develop a better understanding of the brain mechanisms involved in psychological treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This project will build on past research using script-driven imagery in our lab by investigating brain activity in areas activated during exposure to trauma-related cues. This project will also develop new knowledge concerning volitional control of those areas. The ultimate goal of this study is a better understanding of whether volitional control of these brain areas will improve therapeutic outcomes. This process will first be piloted in a sample of healthy controls. This will allow investigators to refine the methodology prior to recruiting a sample with PTSD.
Study Details
Timeline
Interventions
A support vector machine algorithm will be applied in real-time to fMRI data to identify distributed patterns of co-activated brain regions that specifically encode high emotional arousal (i.e,. high SCR) to the stress/trauma memory (note, this is equivalent to predictions of fitted Q-iteration in which the all actions are specified as zero, reward is equal to the support vector machine predicted arousal, and the discount factor of 0). The resulting idiosyncratic brain map would inform the neurofeedback phase in the next stage of fMRI data collection. This approach will first be piloted in the healthy participant group, then implemented in the PTSD participant group.