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Study of Very Brief Exposure for PTSD in Combat Veterans

This study is looking at a new way to help U.S. combat veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It's testing something called Very Brief Exposure (VBE), where you briefly see combat images (17 milliseconds) that are then quickly hidden. The goal is to see how VBE and regular viewing of combat images affect your brain activity and feelings of fear. Researchers also want to know how aware you are of the images and if you can tolerate the exposures. You might be able to join if you are a male or female between 18 and 50 years old, have a PTSD diagnosis from a combat experience, and meet certain scores on questionnaires. The study aims to enroll 80 participants, but its current status is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study, meaning all participants will receive the study intervention. It plans to enroll 80 participants.
What's involved
You will view both very brief and visible combat stimuli during a functional magnetic brain imaging (fMRI) scan. You will also provide ratings of fear, awareness, and tolerability.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Brain activation will be measured at 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.

NCT06218381

The Effects of Very Brief Exposure on PTSD in U.S. Combat Veterans

Recruiting
NAAges 18–50InterventionalBasic science
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
~90 participants
Updated 2026-07-29 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Very Brief Exposure to Combat Images

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Mean Activation of Frontostriatal and Prefrontal Brain Regions to combat stimuli in PTSD
Measured over Day 2

Conditions

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Explore related trials

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
California1

Study leadership

  • Bradley M Peterson, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Who to contact

Courtney Marcelino
[email protected]
323-361-6456
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Males and females ages 18-50
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) diagnosis of PTSD
Traumatic event is a combat-based experience (e.g., being injured, watching a buddy be killed)
Minimum score of 18 on the Combat Experience Scale (CES)
Minimum score of 3 or more on Primary Care (PC)-PTSD-5
Participants with other cooccurring psychiatric disorders (e.g., anxiety, ADHD) will be included to ensure a representative sample.

Exclusion

Treatment for PTSD, substance abuse, or mental health concerns in the past 6 months
10 or more years since the combat trauma
Acute intoxication
Severe level of Substance Dependence (6 or more DSM-V symptoms)
Prior diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Current or past psychotic disorders or active psychotic symptoms
Current Bipolar I Disorder
Dementia
Neurological or serious medical conditions (e.g., stroke, epilepsy/ seizure disorder, cancer, Lupus, HIV+);
Traumatic brain injury
Ferromagnetic implants (e.g., pacemaker), metal braces, retainers, tattoos or permanent make up w/ metallic content, transdermal medicinal patches that cannot be removed
Neurological or serious medical conditions (e.g., stroke, epilepsy/ seizure disorder, cancer, Lupus, HIV+);
Lifetime Diagnosis of PTSD, Tourette's Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder, Substance Dependence, Eating Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, a psychotic disorder, Acute Stress Disorder
Lifetime history of traumatic event defined as a life-threatening event involving physical attack, guns, fire or explosion (i.e the kinds of traumatic events combat veterans are likely to experience)
Traumatic Brain Injury
Birth at less than 37 weeks gestational age
Claustrophobia
Anxiety Disorder, Mood Disorder, Substance Abuse Disorder, Adjustment Disorder in past 2 years
Treatment for mental health concern in past 2 years
Pregnant Females

What this trial measures

  • Mean Activation of Frontostriatal and Prefrontal Brain Regions to combat stimuli in PTSDDay 2

    A hypothesis-driven, group-level analysis will test brain activity, measured as Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) response, in 4 regions of interest while minimizing Type II error.