Skip to content

Ultrasonic Neuromodulation for Treatment of PTSD

Deep Brain Therapy With Low-intensity Ultrasound for Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Status
Terminated
Phases
Phase 1Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06135064
Enrollment
10
Registered
2023-11-18
Start date
2024-04-05
Completion date
2024-09-27
Last updated
2025-05-25

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

PTSD

Brief summary

This study will evaluate a new form of non-invasive deep brain therapy for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation will first be delivered using a range of stimulation parameters during psychophysical and physiological monitoring. A well-tolerated stimulation protocol will be selected for subsequent testing in a blinded randomized sham-controlled cross-over trial. The trial will evaluate brain target engagement using magnetic resonance imaging and numerical scales of PTSD, cognitive performance, and mood.

Interventions

DEVICEDiadem

The device delivers low-intensity ultrasonic waves into specified brain targets.

Sponsors

University of Utah
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Positive PTSD diagnosis; PCL-5 \> 20

Exclusion criteria

* Inability to complete MRI * Suicidal ideation

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)Up to 3 months following study initiation20-item self-report measure that assesses the 20 DSM-5 symptoms of PTSD. The total severity scores range from 0 to 80.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
National Institutes of Health Toolbox Cognitive Battery (NIHTB-CB)Up to 3 months following study initiationThe NIHTB-CB provides the following summary scores: Total Cognition Composite, Fluid Composite (includes Dimensional Change Card Sort, Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention, Picture Sequence Memory (Form A), List Sorting Working Memory, and Pattern Comparison tests), and Crystallized Composite (includes Picture Vocabulary and Oral Reading Recognition tests). The scores are normalized to have a mean score of 10 and standard deviation of 3.
California Verbal Learning Test, 3rd Edition (CVLT3)Up to 3 months following study initiationA verbal learning and memory test designed to test immediate recall, short delay recall, long delay recall, and recognition memory, as well as the memory strategies being used by the participant. The Brief Form of the CVLT 3 consists of nine words, administered repeatedly over 4 immediate recall trials. The scoring software provides normative data.
PROMIS scale of Pain IntensityUp to 3 months following study initiationThe score assess the worst, average, and current levels of pain on a scale from 1 (no pain) to 5 (very severe)
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17)Up to 3 months following study initiationThis 17-item questionnaire rates the severity of depression by probing mood, feelings of guilt, suicide ideation, insomnia, agitation or retardation, anxiety, weight loss, and somatic symptoms. The scores range from 0 (no symptoms) to 52 (worst possible).
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)Up to 3 months following study initiationTest consisting of 7 components summed to yield a global PSQI score, ranging from of 0 (good sleep) to 21 (poor sleep).

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026