This study is looking into how the brain learns to avoid certain situations, especially in people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Researchers will use different methods, including mild electric shocks to the foot (Fear Conditioning), pressing a button to avoid a shock (Avoidance conditioning), and learning that a previously feared signal no longer means a shock (Pavlovian fear extinction learning). You might also be asked how much you'd pay to avoid a shock. These activities will happen while you are in an fMRI scanner, which measures brain activity. The study aims to understand how avoidance, fear, and decisions about avoiding are affected by learning and cost. They will measure your skin conductance response (how much you sweat) and brain activity using fMRI. The study is open to people aged 18 to 70, including those with PTSD, healthy people who have experienced trauma, and healthy people who have not.

Study design

This interventional study plans to enroll 300 participants, including those with PTSD, trauma-exposed healthy controls, and healthy controls. The study design is not specified as randomized or blinded.

What's involved

Participants will undergo several experimental phases involving mild electric shocks, button pressing, and fMRI scans over two experimental days.

Compensation

Participants will receive a monetary stipend on the second day to use for avoiding shocks.

Follow-up

Skin Conductance Response and fMRI responses will be measured on Experimental Day 1 and Experimental Day 2.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.