RecruitingNot Applicable

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Veterans With PTSD

United States20 participantsStarted 2026-01-15

Plain-language summary

With this research investigators hope to begin to understand how rTMS can improve posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. TMS improves PTSD through two interrelated mechanisms: change in brain limbic system function and change in systemic inflammatory activation. Participants who decide to join this study, will receive ten rTMS treatments. All participants will undergo a 40-minute rTMS procedure with a member of the study team 10 times over 2-4 weeks. Participants will undergo fMRI scans of the head in order to help researchers better understand potential effects of rTMS on brain activity. In addition, participants will be asked to give two breath and blood samples to look for signs of general inflammation.

Who can participate

Age range

19 Years – 70 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 19 and 70 * Eligible for VA healthcare * Moderate to severe PTSD as determined by a total score of at least 25 on the CAPS within 7 days of randomization. * Agree to have CAPS audio recorded. * Ability to obtain a Motor Threshold using the TMS device during screening. * If female with childbearing potential, use of acceptable method of birth control (i.e., use of contraceptives, abstinence). * Able to read, understand, and sign the informed consent document. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant or lactating woman. * MRI is contraindicated * Current use of clozapine (any dose) or bupropion (more than 300mg per day). * Cardiac pacemaker or implantable defibrillator. * Presence of any metal object in the head, including cochlear implants, but excluding dental work in the mouth. * Significant central nervous system disorder (stroke, brain mass, epilepsy). * Seizure in past one year. * Current psychosis or mania. * Significant suicidal ideation. * Unstable medical conditions. * Current alcohol or substance use disorder (except nicotine) that interferes with the patient's ability to participate. * CPT or PE for PTSD in the past 2 months. * Changes in Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, or Venlafaxine in the past 2 months. * Color blind * Currently participating in other research studies. * Aneurysm Clip * Ocular foreign body (e.g., metal shavings) * Any implanted device (pumps, infusion devices, etc.) * Shrapnel injuries or metal fragments

Questions worth asking your doctor

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.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

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.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Frequency and intensity of PTSD symptoms as assessed by the CAPS-5

Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 months

20 item self-report of PTSD symptoms assessed by PCL-5

Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07336251

SponsorWhite River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Sponsor typeFED

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-01

Contact for this trial

Bradley V Watts, MD, MPH

802-295-9363 bradley.watts@va.gov

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder trials