Plain-English translation of NCT05895006 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.
Researchers are testing whether a technique called transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can help them better understand how PTSD affects the brain's ability to process sounds, sights, and other sensory information. The study involves placing small electrodes on your scalp to deliver gentle electrical stimulation while recording your brain activity using special imaging. The goal is to develop a more complete picture of how PTSD changes the brain so that better treatments can be developed.
Current treatments for PTSD don't work for everyone, and researchers believe this is partly because we don't fully understand the brain changes that happen in PTSD. This study aims to identify those specific brain changes by looking at how the sensory parts of the brain, the emotion-control center, and the decision-making areas communicate—and how that communication goes wrong in PTSD.
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You would attend study visits where small electrodes are placed on your scalp using an EEG cap. During the session, you will receive either active brain stimulation, sham (fake) stimulation, or a different type of stimulation—you and the researchers won't know which. While receiving the stimulation, your brain activity will be recorded using EEG and fMRI (brain imaging) both at rest and while you respond to new or surprising sounds. The entire session takes several hours and involves no injections or medications.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 5, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States
Sponsor
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Collaborators
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Enrollment target
~160 participants
Started
April 2022
Primary completion
December 2026
Age range
18 Years – 50 Years
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in September 2025.
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Central contact
Wen Li, PhD
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.