Using Imaging Techniques to Guide Targeted Brain Stimulation in the Treatment of Depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Principal Investigator: Dr. Desmond Oathes

Disease: Depression and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Research Description: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive FDA approved treatment for depression that does not respond well to medication. However, recent research suggests that using information from a patient’s brain images can help to improve TMS treatment outcomes. In addition, TMS has not yet been established for patients suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We will use our combined expertise in brain imaging techniques and in TMS to treat two specific areas in the brains of patients who suffer from either depression, PTSD or both. Our expectation is that TMS treatment to our new brain target will improve symptoms in depression patients, compared to the current FDA approved treatment. We also expect that symptoms of PTSD will be improved with our targeted treatment. Therefore, the results from our study could form the basis of a new treatment for both PTSD and depression.

Funding Partners: Anonymous

CWR funding role: Primary funder