Back to search results

Psychotherapy Effects on Reward Processing in PTSD

This study is looking at how a type of talk therapy called Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) affects the brain in people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Specifically, it wants to understand how CPT changes the brain's ability to experience positive emotions, which can be diminished after a traumatic event. Researchers will compare people who receive CPT right away with those who receive it later. You might be able to join if you are between 18 and 65 years old, speak English, and have chronic PTSD for at least 3 months. The study will measure changes in your brain's reward system after 10 weeks of treatment to see if CPT helps improve your ability to feel pleasure.

Study design
This is an interventional study that plans to enroll 120 participants. It is a randomized clinical trial comparing immediate versus delayed Cognitive Processing Therapy.
What's involved
Before treatment, you will have clinical and brain imaging (fMRI) assessments while completing tasks related to reward processing. Some tasks involve mild electrical shock or making decisions about rewards versus negative outcomes.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary endpoint is measured at 10 weeks, indicating follow-up for at least this duration.

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

NCT06096740

Psychotherapy Effects on Reward Processing in PTSD

Recruiting
NAAges 18–65InterventionalTreatment
University of Texas at Austin
~120 participants
Updated 2026-05-01 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Cognitive Processing Therapy

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Within subject beta coefficients for each parametrically modulated regressor of the Reinforcement Learning Task with Threat
Measured over [10 weeks]

Conditions

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Diminished Pleasure
Anhedonia
PTSD
Chronic PTSD
Chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Explore related trials

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Texas1

Study leadership

  • Gregory A Fonzo, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · The University of Texas at Austin

Who to contact

Lauren Enten, B.S.A
[email protected]
512-495-5856
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

English as primary language, and comprehension suitable to understand experimenter instructions.
Current and chronic syndromic PTSD, defined as being exposed to a DSM-5 Criterion A traumatic event, with the presence DSM-5 qualifying PTSD symptoms for at least 3 months, as assessed by the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5.
Able and willing to undergo functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Willingness to participate in repeated assessments and as part of a delayed treatment group.

Exclusion

Evidence of current or prior history of psychosis or bipolar disorder as evidenced by self-report or clinical interview.
Active substance dependence within the past 6 months as evidenced by clinical interview.
Current regular psychiatric medication use (i.e. antidepressants), except for as-needed benzodiazepine or opiate medication no more than three times per week, on average, or for short-duration stimulant medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder that can be skipped within 24 hours of study visits.
A recent (\<6 months) suicide attempt or current active ideation with intent.
Unremovable ferrous metal in body.
History of neurological disorder, stroke, seizures/convulsions (except febrile seizures in childhood), epilepsy, brain surgery, electroconvulsive or radiation treatment, brain hemorrhage or tumor, or thyroid disorder.
Anyone who is pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
Current or past year (\> 3 sessions), psychotherapy with a prominent exposure or cognitive restructuring component.
Previous or current (es)ketamine treatment and/ or brain stimulation/neuromodulation treatment.
Other ongoing treatment that is likely to confound experimental effects.
Previous penetrating head injury/traumatic brain injury. Mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury without penetrating injury is allowable.

What this trial measures

  • Within subject beta coefficients for each parametrically modulated regressor of the Reinforcement Learning Task with Threat[10 weeks]

    The changes in deoxyhemoglobin driven by localized changes in brain blood flow and blood oxygenation associated with individual trial-by-trial reinforcement learning computational model parameters at the time of choice valuation (expected reward value during safe contexts and expected reward value during threat contexts) and choice outcome (reward prediction errors during safe contexts and reward prediction errors during threat contexts).