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NCT Number: NCT07336251

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Veterans With PTSD

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.

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Key information

Conditions

PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Combat Disorders Mental Disorders Stress Disorders, Traumatic Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Age range

19 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

White River Junction VA Hospital

White River Junction, Vermont, 05001, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Bradley Watts, MD, MPH

CONTACT

[email protected]

802-295-9363 ext. 5235

Bradley Watts,MD, MPH

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Brian Shiner MD, MPH

SUB_INVESTIGATOR

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Device

10 sessions of low frequency rTMS (1Hz) applied to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Primary outcomes

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

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 months

    The CAPS is a clinician-administered scale of PTSD symptoms, which queries the frequency and intensity of symptoms of PTSD

  2. 20 item self-report of PTSD symptoms assessed by PCL-5

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 months

    It asks participants to rate the severity of each of the 20 symptoms of PTSD in DSM-5

Secondary outcomes

  1. A quick self-reported and self administered inventory of depressive symptoms (QIDS-16-SR)

    Time frame: From the baseline to the end of the study at 3 months

    This is a self-reported, self- administered scale of depressive symptoms.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Bradley V Watts, MD, MPH

CONTACT

[email protected]

802-295-9363 ext. 5235

Julian Sewall

CONTACT

[email protected]

603-266-7140

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Fed

Registry information

Official study title

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Veterans With PTSD: A Pilot Study to Examine Mechanism of Effect

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jan 13, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 15, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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