NCT05560113

Disrupting Fear-based Memory Consolidation

Forgetting Fear: Establishing a Novel Non-invasive Approach to Disrupt Fear-based Sensory Memory Consolidation in Humans

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 66 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Emory University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This project represents a unique collaborative opportunity to pursue the essential proof-of-principle demonstration that non-invasive interference of sensory cortical memory consolidation shortly after an emotional experience can attenuate the cued fear response and potentially reduce the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If successful, the study results would anchor a potential advance in the treatment of patients after a traumatic event and seed future animal and clinical studies of emotional sensory cortical memory consolidation to reduce the prevalence and negative sequelae of PTSD.

Detailed description

This mechanistic study in humans will study an unexplored precision-based approach of non-invasive neuromodulation of sensory cortex with the aim to prevent PTSD by attenuating the sensory encoding of fear memory. The objective of this project is to explore the basic science and therapeutic potential of sensory-emotional reprogramming in humans, and translate this idea into a precise, individualized treatment to reduce the risk that negative emotional sensory experiences lead to PTSD. Understanding sensory-emotional programming in humans could anchor a breakthrough in the treatment of patients after a traumatic event and seed future animal and clinical studies of emotional sensory cortical memory consolidation to reduce the prevalence and negative sequela of PTSD.

Conditions

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS)	cTBS, a patterned form of TMS, (80% active motor threshold intensity, 3 pulses at 50Hz, 200ms interval, 600 pulses, 40s duration applied over the targeted sensory cortical region using real-time neuronavigation to focally and transiently inhibit neural activity
OTHER	Sham continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS)	This will be a sham intervention. An active/sham stimulating coil will be used for double-blinding of stimulation condition. cTBS is safe and has established safety guidelines that will be strictly adhered to during study conduction.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-11-28
• Primary completion: 2028-12-01
• Completion: 2028-12-01
• First posted: 2022-09-29
• Last updated: 2025-10-29

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: United States