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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

IDENTIFYING NEW METHODS TO CHARACTERIZE AND DIAGNOSE THE UNDERLYING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF PTSD AND DEVELOP NEW THERAPIES, which REDUCE DISABLING SYMPTOMS AND IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition that usually results from severe emotional distress, sometimes in the context of significant physical harm.   Particularly for military personnel, the symptoms of PTSD may be combined or confused with the residual symptoms and sequelae of TBI.  Current treatment approaches consist primarily of psychoactive medications, psychotherapy and behavioral interventions.

Efforts to objectively demonstrate the presence, quantify the degree and monitor the progress of impairments, (ie; new biological and longitudinal physical sensor-based metrics) are priority areas of focus. These methods could facilitate the testing of novel interventions, such as those that modify brain plasticity.

CIMIT’s PTSD Program seeks to expand and improve upon current approaches to diagnosis and treatment.  This Program leverages the areas of innovation in the CIMIT Neurotechnology, Trauma & Casualty Care, and TBI & Neurotrauma Programs, recognizing that many patients suffer from combinations of conditions that require clinicians to draw on a range of specialty resources.

  • Projects
  • Forum/Events
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CIMIT-Supported Ongoing & Future Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Projects
In collaboration with Manchester, MH VA Medical Center
Studying pathways by which animals and humans learn not to fear
Studying identical twins discordant for combat exposure in order to clarify the origins of brain and biological abnormalities in PTSD, i.e., innate vs. acquired
Developing psychophysiological and neuroimaging methods for distinguishing injured combat veterans with vs. without PTSD
Utilizing neurological soft signs to distinguish mild traumatic brain injury from PTSD
Utilizing psychophysiology and neuroimaging for early prediction of treatment response
Pioneering novel treatment for PTSD based upon memory “reconsolidation”
Structural neuroimaging using diffusion tensor imaging

» View all CIMIT-Funded Projects.

 

 
Related Past Forum and Events
EVENT DATE SPEAKERS DETAIL
Forum: Unraveling the Brain in Trauma and in Health Sep. 16, 2008

Van Wedeen, MD:
MGH, HMS

Marilyn Kraus, MD:
University of Illinois at Chicago

Mapping Brain Connectivity with Diffusion MRI

The Role of Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Traumatic Brain Injury

Forum: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Diagnosis & Therapy Apr. 1, 2008

Ross Zafonte, DO: Spaulding Rehab Hospital; MGH; CIMIT

Roger Pitman, MD: MGH

Traumatic Brain Injury Clinical Trials from the Past for the Future

Neurological Soft Signs in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Traumatic Brain Injury Symposium entitled: Clinical Management and Advanced Treatment for Closed Head Injury Nov. 15, 2007

Ross Zafonte, DO: Spaulding Rehab Hospital; MGH; CIMIT

Lee Schwamm, MD, MGH

 Press release: CIMIT, TATRC co-host successful symposium on TBI
Forum: Researchers Focus on Shock and Recovery Oct. 16, 2007 Carl Hauser, MD, FACE, FCCM; BIDMC, HMS

Alfred Ayala, PhD; Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University

Wolfgang Junger, PhD; BIDMC, HMS		 Post-Resuscitation Injury - Translational Approaches to Cell Signaling in Shock and Resusciation

• Neutrophil Calcium Signaling in Shock and Trauma

• The Role of Systemic Immune Cell Signaling in Whole Body Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

• Autocrine Regulation of Immune Cell Function

• Translational Application of Cell Signaling Biology to the Care of Sick Patients
CIMIT Summer Education Series 2007 Jul. 10,
2007		 Christopher Moore, PhD; MIT

Leigh Hochberg, MD, PhD; Brown
University, VA, HMS, MGH

Neurotechnology: Translating Basic Discoveries into
Clinical Promise

• Deciphering Cortical
Electrophysiological Signals
and their Applications
for Brain-Body Interfaces
Forum: Doctors Discuss Challenges of Traumatic Brain Injury May 22, 2007 Lee Schwamm, MD; MGH, HMS, MIT

Marc de Moya, MD; MGH, HMS

Mel Glenn, MD; Spaulding		 • Acute and Chronic Consequences of Traumatic Brain Injury

• A New Model of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Forum: Researchers Discuss Advances in Battlefield Medicine May 8, 2007 Col. Geoffrey Ling, MD, PhD; DARPA, Walter Reed, Johns Hopkins

Michael Callahan, MD, BTN & H, MSPH; DARPA		 • Trauma Care and Soldier Performance
Forum: Experts Discuss Mass Casualty Incident Response Apr. 24, 2007 Sandy Bogucki, MD, PhD; Yale, US Dept. of Health & Human Services

Sheri Markwardt

Harvey Mudd		 • Decoding Cortical Electrophysiology for the Detection of Seizures
Related Program News, Press Releases & Literature
ARTICLE TITLE PUBLICATION DATE
PTSD: New War on An Old Foe
Big changes underway at the VA could mean better treatment for thousands of vets. A bureaucracy in transition		 Newsweek October 1, 2009
Army’s S&T Efforts Aim to Protect Soldiers’ Minds USAASC October, 2008
CIMIT, TATRC co-host successful symposium on TBI CIMIT Press Release November 15, 2007
A Shock Wave of Brain Injuries Washingtonpost.com April 8, 2007
Made-for-the-military Products Put Brakes on Bleeding CNN.com March 2, 2007
More in Massachusetts Get Drug for Stroke Boston Globe October 20, 2006
Brain Injury Medicine, Zafonte Co-author Brain Injury Medicine:
Principles and Practice		 Book By Nathan D. Zasler,
Douglas I. Katz,
Ross D. Zafonte		 2006
     

George Velmahos, MD, PhDProgram Leader
Roger Pitman, MD
Email to reach
Dr. Pitman: mrosasco@partners.org


CIMIT RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Leader,
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

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What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition that often follows a terrifying physical or emotional event that causes the person who survived the event to have persistent, frightening thoughts and memories, or flashbacks, of the ordeal. Examples of events that can trigger PTSD are serious accidents, natural disasters, man-made tragedies, violent personal attacks and military combat.

First brought to public attention by war veterans and once referred to as "shell shock" or "battle fatigue,” PTSD often is described as making an individual feel chronically emotionally numb. People with PTSD experience extreme emotional, mental, and physical distress when exposed to situations that remind them of the traumatic event. Some may repeatedly relive the trauma in the form of nightmares and disturbing recollections during the day. Other common symptoms of PTSD are sleep problems, irritability, violent outbursts, difficulty working or socializing, depression, lack of interest in activities, difficulty showing affection.

Many people with PTSD respond well to treatment. Specific treatments are based on age, overall health, medical history, extent of the disease, personal opinions and preferences and expectations for the course of the disorder. Treatment generally consists of ongoing counseling and support for the individual and the family, medication to relieve or eliminate specific symptoms and various other techniques and therapies, including some promising treatments that are currently under investigation.



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