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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSDNCT07900841

FUS Neuromodulation for PTSD

A study testing Focused Ultrasound in people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD, run by West Virginia University at 1 site in United States.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this study is to see if a focused ultrasound neuromodulation can be safely and effectively used to treat symptoms of PTSD Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 20 to 65 years
Conditions the study is for
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD
What is being tested?
Focused Ultrasound
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
15 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
25 Nov 2026to 30 Dec 2029
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 20 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult
  • Males and non-pregnant females aged 20 - 65 years at time of enrollment.
  • Able and willing to give informed consent.
  • Diagnosis of PTSD according to DSM-5-TR criteria
  • Prior treatment failure or partial response to at least one evidence-based therapy for PTSD (pharmacologic or psychotherapeutic).
  • Currently are under the care of a psychiatrist or other mental health care provider and agrees to promptly inform the investigator or the study staff of any change in these providers.
  • If on prescribed medication for the treatment of PTSD, or for any other underlying psychiatric conditions, must be on a stable dose (stable dose is defined as within the therapeutic range but does not require same exact dose) for ≥4 weeks prior to screening.
  • If engaged in psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD, or for any other underlying psychiatric condition, therapy must be stable and ongoing for ≥4 weeks prior to screening.
  • Willing to not receive any other experimental treatment for PTSD during the study period.
  • Willing to cooperate with the study requirements, including compliance with the regimen, admission requirements, completion of all study visits, and study assessments.
  • Able to communicate sensations during the FUS procedure.
  • Willing to undergo stress induction before, during, and/or after the procedure that may be triggered by trauma-related cueing.
  • Participants of reproductive potential must have a negative pregnancy test and agree to use effective contraceptive methods while participating in the study.

A candidate will be excluded if they meet any of the following criteria:

  • Unable to undergo MR-imaging because of non-MR compatible implants or if candidates are uncomfortable in small spaces (have claustrophobia).
  • Clinically significant MRI abnormality indicative of a neurological condition or abnormality that may jeopardize the participant's safety, study conduct, or confound the participant's diagnostic assessments.
  • Participants who are unable or unwilling to lay flat/sit and tolerate the required prolonged stationary position during treatment (approximately 1-2 hours).
  • History of any clinically significant neurological disorder or condition (e.g., brain surgery in basal ganglion region, brain tumors, moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, medically uncontrolled epilepsy, or any others deemed clinically significant by the investigator).
  • Use of medications that significantly lower the seizure threshold or interfere with neuromodulation safety, as determined by the study physician.
  • Currently participating in another clinical investigation with an active treatment arm or participated in any experimental therapy (drug or biologic or device) within 3 months prior to Screening.
  • A current or reasonably anticipated ongoing traumatic context, including violence, abuse, credible threats, stalking, exploitation, continued traumatic contact with a perpetrator, or an unsafe living environment, that would materially compromise the participant's safety or ability to participate in the study intervention or assessments.
  • High Acute Risk of Suicide as determined clinically, including, but not limited to, current suicidal ideation, intent, or plan.
  • High Acute Risk of Homicide as determined clinically, including, but not limited to, current homicidal ideation, intent, or plan.
  • Clinically significant level of depression requiring further and/or imminent intervention as indicated by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
  • Participant is pregnant/lactating or planning to be pregnant.
  • Past or present diagnosis of schizophrenia or any psychotic disorder.
  • Past or present diagnosis of a Personality Disorder-Cluster B.
  • Current or ongoing legal issues that may interfere with study participation.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Matthew Zell, MD contact

304-293-8182

mzell@hsc.wvu.edu

Jennifer Marton, BA contact

304-293-5886

jmarton@hsc.wvu.edu

United States1 site
  • WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute

    Morgantown, West Virginia, 26505

    Victor Finomore, PhD, 3042760500, vfinomore@hsc.wvu.edu

    Padma Tirumalai, PhD, 3042760500, ptirumalai@hsc.wvu.edu

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: A Prospective Early Feasibility Study of Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation for PTSD

The purpose of this study is to see if a focused ultrasound neuromodulation can be safely and effectively used to treat symptoms of PTSD

Read the detailed description

This open-label early feasibility study investigates low intensity focused ultrasound (FUS), in participants with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The primary objective is to test the safety and feasibility of FUS in this population.

Being tested
Focused Ultrasound
Keywords
Neuromodulation, Focused Ultrasound
Medical subject headings
Combat Disorders

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Focused UltrasoundDevice

    Also called NaviFus

    Subjects will undergo a single focused ultrasound Neuromodulation of the target brain region

Study groups in NCT07900841
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
TreatmentExperimentalFUS Neuromodulation
Receives: Device: Focused Ultrasound

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Occurrence of Treatment Emergent Adverse Events

    All adverse events that are related to FUS treatment will be assessed

    Measured: Week 4 and 12 compared to baseline

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. Change in PTSD Symptoms

    Changes in trauma-related symptoms as assessed by CAPS-5

    Measured: Week 4 and 12 compared to baseline

  2. Change in PTSD Symptoms

    Changes in trauma-related symptoms as assessed by PTSD checklist PCL5

    Measured: Week 4 and 12 compared to baseline

  3. Change in Depression

    Change in depression using the Hamilton Depression rating Scale (HAMD)

    Measured: Week 4 and 12 compared to baseline

  4. Change in anxiety

    Change in anxiety as measured by Generalized Anxiety disorder (GAD7)

    Measured: Week 4 and 12 compared to baseline

  5. Suicidal behavior

    Change in suicidal behavior using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale

    Measured: Week 4 an 12 compared to baseline

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted28 Oct 2026
  2. Study start25 Nov 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion30 Dec 2028 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Dec 2029 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Model description
Prospective open label single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
15 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07900841
Sponsor's protocol ID
NMD_PTSD
Status last verified
Oct 2026
First submitted
9 Oct 2026
Last updated
28 Oct 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Focused Ultrasound in people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD, run by West Virginia University at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Matthew Zell, MD (304-293-8182, mzell@hsc.wvu.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Occurrence of Treatment Emergent Adverse Events (time frame: Week 4 and 12 compared to baseline). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 Oct 2026.

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