Creation of a Whole Brain Connectivity-based Model for Individualized Targeting of PTSD Symptoms with TMS

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Interdisciplinary Centers, Units and Projects::Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF)::Fall Research Expo
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Neuroscience and Neurobiology
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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
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2025-10-04
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Chandrashekar, Sneha
Patel, Milan
Gura, Hannah
Gregory, David
Sun, Ivy
Balderston, Nicholas
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Abstract

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that affects nearly 4% of people worldwide. One promising treatment is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), which uses magnetic pulses to adjust brain activity. While TMS has shown benefit for some individuals with PTSD, results have been inconsistent, in part because it is unclear which areas of the brain should be targeted. To address this, we created a “whole-brain atlas” that links patterns of brain activity to PTSD symptoms. Using brain scans and symptom assessments from 349 veterans at the Boston VA, we found that activity in the frontal regions of the brain was positively correlated with symptoms severity while activity in temporal regions was negatively correlated with symptoms. Ongoing work aims to map these features to anatomical targets and refine individualized stimulation strategies. By aligning brain network abnormalities with clinical symptoms, this approach could potentially enhance the precision and efficacy of TMS treatment for PTSD.

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2025-09-15
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