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PREVENT Study

Promoting REsilience Via Early Neurostimulation after Trauma

PI: Sanne van Rooij, PhD & Jennifer Stevens, PhD

Background

The PREVENT Study is researching how people respond after stressful or frightening experiences. In the days and weeks after trauma, some people may feel on edge, have unwanted memories, avoid reminders of what happened, or have trouble sleeping. 

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This study focuses on people who recently received emergency care after a traumatic event. We are interested in learning whether brain stimulation soon after trauma may affect brain activity related to post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. 

 

TMS, or transcranial magnetic stimulation, is a non-invasive type of brain stimulation. It uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood, stress, and emotion regulation. 

In a separate study, members of our team found that TMS improved symptoms in people with chronic PTSD. You can learn more about this work in the Your Fantastic Mind episode “Brain Stimulation for PTSD.” 

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What were the goals of this study?

The goal of the PREVENT Study is to learn more about how people respond in the early days and weeks after a traumatic event. 

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Through this study, we hope to better understand: 

  • How stress symptoms change after a traumatic experience 

  • How the brain responds after trauma 

  • Whether TMS sessions may affect brain activity related to PTSD 

  • Whether early brain stimulation may be helpful for people after trauma 

What do the TMS sessions look like?

During TMS sessions, participants sit in a comfortable chair while the study team places a small magnetic coil near the front part of the head. TMS does not involve surgery, anesthesia, or putting anything inside the body. Participants are awake during the session. 

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For this study, participants complete TMS during the in-person study visits. During the sessions, participants can relax, use their phone, watch a movie, or read. The main thing participants are asked to do is keep their head in the same position during the session. 

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What did we measure and how?

Participants complete 4 study visits total: 2 visits on Zoom and 2 half-day in-person visits at the Emory Brain Health Center. 

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  • During the Zoom visits, participants answer questions about themselves, their current stress, past experiences, and mental health symptoms. 

  • During the in-person visits, participants complete MRI scans and TMS sessions. MRI scans allow us to take pictures of the brain and better understand brain activity related to stress and emotion. During part of the MRI scan, participants may complete a short computer task that involves looking at pictures of facial expressions. 

  • The study team explains each step and is available to answer questions throughout the visit. 

Who are our participants? 

We are looking for adults who recently received emergency care after a stressful or traumatic event. 

Participants may be eligible if they: 

  • Are 18–65 years old 

  • Received Emergency Care in the past week for an event where you thought you could have been killed or seriously injured 

Our study sample goal is to recruit 50 participants. The study team will contact interested participants to determine whether they are eligible. Participants will receive compensation for their time and travel. 

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Interested in joining this study? 

To learn more or see if you may be eligible, please fill out this survey.  

You may also reach out to PREVENTstudy@emory.edu with any questions you have! 

Click here to learn more about brain areas involved in PTSD. 

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