Receive a brain implant designed to reduce severe trauma-related stress symptoms

Receive a brain implant designed to reduce severe trauma-related stress symptoms | stella

What is this trial?

This trial is testing a device called Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) that is implanted in the brain to help treat severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that hasn't improved with standard treatments. The device records brain activity and delivers small electrical pulses to a specific brain region involved in fear and anxiety when it detects patterns linked to PTSD symptoms like flashbacks and nightmares. The goal is to help veterans whose PTSD has not responded to medications or therapy feel better and function more fully.

Standard treatments for PTSD—including medications and talk therapy—don't work for everyone, leaving some people with severe, ongoing symptoms that significantly interfere with their daily lives. This trial exists to test whether a device that directly targets the brain circuits involved in fear processing can help people who haven't benefited from other treatments.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are a male veteran between 25 and 60 years old
you have had severe PTSD for at least 5 years and have tried at least 3 evidence-based treatments (such as specific medications or trauma-focused therapy) without improvement
your PTSD symptoms have been stable for at least one month and you are willing to stay on the same medications for at least 6 months after surgery
your PTSD significantly impacts your ability to work or maintain relationships
you are able to commit to 4 years of follow-up appointments and device adjustments

You likely don't qualify if…

you are female or outside the age range of 25–60
you have had a 6-month period where your PTSD symptoms went away during the 2 years before applying
you are planning to change your psychiatric medications in the near future or have recently started new medications
you have not completed trauma-focused psychotherapy at least 3 months before entering the study
your PTSD symptoms are mild or you have not tried adequate trials of at least 3 standard treatments

What participation looks like

You would undergo brain surgery to have the RNS device implanted in the area of your brain involved in fear and emotion. After implantation, the device would record your brain activity and be programmed to detect patterns related to your specific PTSD symptoms. You would have regular appointments over 4 years to adjust the device settings, complete psychological assessments and questionnaires, and undergo brain imaging and monitoring tests to track how the treatment is working.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 5, 2026 · Not medical advice

Brain implant to treat severe trauma-related stress disorder

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)