This study will test for effects of estradiol (E2) on PTSD symptoms and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) indicators of stress vulnerability, in naturally-cycling women who are not using hormonal birth control. Enrollment will be targeted to create three groups within two cohorts (early follicular phase and luteal phase): 1. PTSD: Women who meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria for PTSD 2. Trauma-Exposed (TC): Women matched for age and trauma exposure severity but without PTSD 3. Healthy Control (HC): Women matched for age, but without trauma history or psychiatric disorder (self-reported) Women will be recruited through Grady Trauma Project (GTP), a large longstanding study of civilian trauma and PTSD conducted at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.
Age range
18 Years – 35 Years
Sex
FEMALE
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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Amygdala Response to Fearful Faces Stimuli
Timeframe: Early-cycle for Cohort 1 (mean 4.5 (sd=1.5) days following onset of menstrual period) or Mid-cycle for cohort 2 (mean 5.5 (sd=1.4) days following a positive urine luteinizing hormone test) during cycles 2 and 3 (each cycle is an average of 28 days)
Amygdala Response to Fear Conditioning Task
Timeframe: Early-cycle for Cohort 1 (mean 4.5 (sd=1.5) days following onset of menstrual period) or Mid-cycle for cohort 2 (mean 5.5 (sd=1.4) days following a positive urine luteinizing hormone test) during cycles 2 and 3 (each cycle is an average of 28 days)
Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex (vmPFC) Activation During the Fear Extinction Task
Timeframe: Early-cycle for Cohort 1 (mean 4.5 (sd=1.5) days following onset of menstrual period) or Mid-cycle for cohort 2 (mean 5.5 (sd=1.4) days following a positive urine luteinizing hormone test) during cycles 2 and 3 (each cycle is an average of 28 days)