Multicenter iTBS Neuromodulation for PTSD Treatment

The proposed study aims to evaluate the efficacy of intermittent theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (iTBS) targeting primary motor cortex as adjunct treatment for PTSD patients. Compared to traditional repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), iTBS strategy usually delivers large amounts of pulses in a shorter time period, and its equal efficiency has been demonstrated in several psychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder (MDD). Through this adequately randomized and sham-controlled study of iTBS for PTSD, this work will provide an alternative and potentially more potent stimulation target for clinical PTSD treatment. This study will also provide a comprehensive assessment of this treatment strategy towards improvements in symptoms, quality of life and brain functioning in PTSD. The ultimate goal of this study is to develop a non-invasive brain stimulation approach targeting a novel site for alleviating symptoms and improving life quality for PTSD patients.