Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The Latest Research Discoveries

Research Showing How Stress Vulnerability Differs in Males and Females Reveals a Circuit That Might Be Targeted to Protect Against Stress, Especially in Females

READ

Posted: September 25, 2025

Research Showing How Stress Vulnerability Differs in Males and Females Reveals a Circuit That Might Be Targeted to Protect Against Stress, Especially in Females

Study Shows How Neurotransmitter Systems Interact to Generate Prosocial Effects & Limit Abuse Potential of MDMA

READ

Posted: August 21, 2025

Study Shows How Neurotransmitter Systems Interact to Generate Prosocial Effects & Limit Abuse Potential of MDMA

Brain Changes Underlying PTSD are Revealed in Detailed Analysis at the Single-Cell Level

READ

Posted: August 14, 2025

Brain Changes Underlying PTSD are Revealed in Detailed Analysis at the Single-Cell Level

Non-invasive Ultrasound Brain Modulation Therapy Shows Potential to Treat Mood, Anxiety, Trauma, Across Diagnoses in Pilot Trial

READ

Posted: May 15, 2025

Non-invasive Ultrasound Brain Modulation Therapy Shows Potential to Treat Mood, Anxiety, Trauma, Across Diagnoses in Pilot Trial

Specific Connectivity Changes and Linked Changes in White Matter Are Associated with PTSD Symptom Reduction in Clinical Trial Results

READ

Posted: April 03, 2025

PTSD Symptom Reductions in Clinical Trial Are Linked to Changes in White Matter

Discovery of a New Synaptic Mechanism Through Which Memories Are Maintained and Lost

READ

Posted: March 27, 2025

Discovery of a New Synaptic Mechanism Through Which Memories Are Maintained and Lost

Clinical Trial Assessed Acupuncture for Severe Combat-Related PTSD

READ

Posted: January 09, 2025

Clinical Trial Assessed Acupuncture for Severe Combat-Related PTSD

tDCS Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Fares Well in Trials for PTSD and Major Depression

READ

Posted: November 21, 2024

tDCS Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Fares Well in Trials for PTSD and Major Depression

Evidence of How the Experience of Racial Discrimination May Alter Brain Connectivity, Cellular Aging, and Brain Health

READ

Posted: June 27, 2024

Evidence of How the Experience of Racial Discrimination May Alter Brain Connectivity, Cellular Aging, and Brain Health

Study of One Psychedelic Drug Suggests How It Might be Modified to Eliminate Psychedelic Effects While Retaining Therapeutic Ones

READ

Posted: June 13, 2024

Study of One Psychedelic Drug Suggests How It Might be Modified to Eliminate Psychedelic Effects While Retaining Therapeutic Ones

Imaging-Based “Normative Model” of Healthy Brain Promises to Significantly Advance Mental Illness Research and Diagnosis

READ

Posted: March 07, 2024

Imaging-Based “Normative Model” of Healthy Brain Promises to Significantly Advance Mental Illness Research and Diagnosis

Traumatic Memories in PTSD Appear Not to Be Represented in the Brain Like Other Kinds of Memory, Research Suggests

READ

Posted: February 29, 2024

PTSD Trauma Memories Are Not Represented in the Brain Like Other Memories, Study Suggests

Small Preliminary Trial of Psychoactive Drug Ibogaine Yields ‘Initial Evidence’ for Powerful Therapeutic Potential in Traumatic Brain Injury

READ

Posted: January 25, 2024

Small Preliminary Trial of Psychoactive Drug Ibogaine Yields ‘Initial Evidence’ for Powerful Therapeutic Potential in Traumatic Brain Injury

A Machine-Learning Tool That Predicts PTSD Risk Before Soldiers Are Deployed

READ

Posted: August 03, 2023

A Machine-Learning Tool That Predicts PTSD Risk Before Soldiers Are Deployed

Traumatic Experiences May Be Driving Force Behind Sleep Quality Disturbances in Veterans, Study Indicates

READ

Posted: June 29, 2023

Traumatic Experiences May Be Driving Force Behind Sleep Quality Disturbances in Veterans, Study Indicates

‘Drifting’ Neural Representation of Stress Suggests How the Brain Copes With Adversity

READ

Posted: March 23, 2023

‘Drifting’ Neural Representation of Stress Suggests How the Brain Copes With Adversity

Clinical Trial Compared Different Forms of Exposure and Drug Therapy in Combat Veterans with PTSD

READ

Posted: December 15, 2022

Clinical Trial Compared Different Forms of Exposure and Drug Therapy in Combat Veterans with PTSD

Team Identifies 3 Possible Brain-Based Biotypes of Post-Trauma Psychiatric Vulnerability

READ

Posted: December 14, 2022

Team Identifies 3 Possible Brain-Based Biotypes of Post-Trauma Psychiatric Vulnerability

Imaging Analysis Suggests How Ketamine Treatment Might Have Helped Reduce Chronic PTSD Symptoms in Trial Subjects

READ

Posted: December 13, 2022

Imaging Analysis Suggests How Ketamine Treatment Might Have Helped Reduce Chronic PTSD Symptoms in Trial Subjects

Researchers Identify Molecule That Orchestrates Association of Events With Positive and Negative Memories

READ

Posted: August 04, 2022

Researchers Identify Molecule That Orchestrates Association of Events With Positive and Negative Memories

Team Tests Model to Enable More Effective Targeting of Non-Invasive TMS Treatments in Depression

READ

Posted: April 21, 2022

Team Tests Model to Enable More Effective Targeting of Non-Invasive TMS Treatments in Depression

Evidence That Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Can Help People With Insomnia Who Also Are Depressed or Anxious

READ

Posted: February 10, 2022

Evidence That Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Can Help People With Insomnia Who Also Are Depressed or Anxious

Study Sheds Light on How Early-Life Abuse Can Alter Maturation of Brain's Emotion Circuitry

READ

Posted: September 23, 2021

Study Sheds Light on How Early-Life Abuse Can Alter Maturation of Brain's Emotion Circuitry

Microbe Types in the Infant Gut May Impact How They Respond to Fear

READ

Posted: September 02, 2021

Microbe Types in the Infant Gut May Impact How They Respond to Fear

Experiments Reveal How a Circuit 'Resets' When the Brain Learns to Respond to New Conditions

READ

Posted: June 21, 2021

Experiments Reveal How a Circuit 'Resets' When the Brain Learns to Respond to New Conditions

Experiments in Rodents Suggest Feasibility of Modifying or Erasing Traumatic Fear Memories

READ

Posted: May 13, 2021

Experiments in Rodents Suggest Feasibility of Modifying or Erasing Traumatic Fear Memories

Using Brainwave Patterns to Predict and Understand Psychiatric Disorders

READ

Posted: May 05, 2021

Using Brainwave Patterns to Predict and Understand Psychiatric Disorders

Largest Genome Study to Date of Anxiety Reveals New Risk Variants and Suggests Possible Biological Mechanisms

READ

Posted: April 22, 2021

Largest Genome Study to Date of Anxiety Reveals New Risk Variants and Suggests Possible Biological Mechanisms

Researchers Explore Whether L-DOPA Can Help PTSD Patients Learn to Extinguish Fear Memories

READ

Posted: February 24, 2021

Researchers Explore Whether L-DOPA Can Help PTSD Patients Learn to Extinguish Fear Memories

Study Links PTSD Stress To Cortical Thinning and Shorter Expected Lifespan

READ

Posted: February 11, 2021

Study Links PTSD Stress To Cortical Thinning and Shorter Expected Lifespan

Repeated Ketamine Infusions Over 2 Weeks Significantly Reduced Chronic PTSD Symptoms

READ

Posted: January 14, 2021

Repeated Ketamine Infusions Over 2 Weeks Significantly Reduced Chronic PTSD Symptoms

Researchers Discover a Rhythm in the Cortex Involved in Causing Dissociation

READ

Posted: December 10, 2020

Researchers Discover a Rhythm in the Cortex Involved in Causing Dissociation

Unconscious Exposure to a Feared Stimulus Can Reduce Fear, Study Shows

READ

Posted: November 05, 2020

Unconscious Exposure to a Feared Stimulus Can Reduce Fear, Study Shows

Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Continued to Help Veterans with PTSD a Year After Treatment

READ

Posted: August 05, 2020

Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Continued to Help Veterans with PTSD a Year After Treatment

Identifying Brain Connectivity Changes in Combat Veterans with PTSD

READ

Posted: July 22, 2020

Identifying Brain Connectivity Changes in Combat Veterans with PTSD

Brain Circuit Might be Targeted to Inhibit Threat Response in the Presence of a “Safety” Signal

READ

Posted: April 16, 2020

Brain Circuit Might be Targeted to Inhibit Threat Response in the Presence of a “Safety” Signal

Gut Organisms Impact the Ability to Extinguish Fear

READ

Posted: November 07, 2019

In Mice, and Perhaps People, Gut Organisms Impact the Ability to Extinguish Fear

Researchers Propose a Way to Study the Debilitating Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder

READ

Posted: September 05, 2019

Researchers Propose a Way to Study the Underlying Causes of Borderline Personality Disorder

Researchers Test Feasibility of a Blood Test to Gauge PTSD Risk Immediately Following Trauma

READ

Posted: August 08, 2019

Researchers Test Feasibility of a Blood Test to Gauge PTSD Risk Immediately Following Trauma

Wartime Trauma Impaired Empathy in Mothers of Small Children, Impacting Parenting

READ

Posted: July 25, 2019

Wartime Trauma Impaired Empathy in Mothers of Small Children, Impacting Parenting

Brain Scans Reveal a Possible Biomarker for Suicidal Thoughts in PTSD

READ

Posted: May 16, 2019

Brain Scans Reveal a Possible Biomarker for Suicidal Thoughts in PTSD

Early-Morning Bright-Light Therapy Helped Patients with PTSD Symptoms

READ

Posted: May 08, 2019

Early-Morning Bright-Light Therapy Helped Patients with PTSD Symptoms

Researchers Pinpoint Biological Differences Underlying the Way Males and Females Process Fear Memories

READ

Posted: February 05, 2019

Researchers Pinpoint Biological Differences Underlying the Way Males and Females Process Fear Memories

Multi-decade Study Found Childhood Trauma Exposure Common, Raising Health Risks in Adulthood

READ

Posted: January 08, 2019

Multi-decade Study Found Childhood Trauma Exposure Common, Raising Health Risks in Adulthood

New Clues for Medication to Prevent Disorders Caused by Early-Life Stress

READ

Posted: November 13, 2018

New Clues for Medications to Prevent Disorders Caused by Early-Life Stress

Intensive Outpatient Treatment Reduced Vets’ Symptoms of PTSD Within Weeks

READ

Posted: September 24, 2018

Intensive Outpatient Treatment Reduced Vets’ Symptoms of PTSD Within Weeks

Researchers Find Brain Circuit That Drives Anxiety

READ

Posted: May 30, 2018

Researchers Find Brain Circuit That Drives Anxiety

READ

Posted: May 07, 2018

Intensive PTSD Treatment Shows Success Among Post-9/11 Warriors

Brain Signature Predicts Who Benefits from Exposure Therapy

READ

Posted: February 20, 2018

Brain Signature Predicts Who Benefits from Exposure Therapy

Findings About a Fear-Driven Learning Circuit Could Inform Efforts to Develop More Effective Ptsd Treatments

READ

Posted: January 02, 2018

Findings About a Fear-Driven Learning Circuit Could Inform Efforts to Develop More Effective PTSD Treatments

Signaling Molecule Involved in Resilience to Stress

READ

Posted: July 19, 2017

Study Identifies a Signaling Molecule Involved in Resilience to Stress

Broken glass representing fear or anxiety

READ

Posted: March 06, 2017

Freeze or Run? Opposing Neural Circuits in the Brain Control Reactions to Fear

How Fear Memories are Strengthened in the Brain

READ

Posted: February 13, 2017

Study Offers Insight into How Fear Memories are Strengthened in the Brain

READ

Posted: December 02, 2016

Emotional Disorders Share Disruptions to Brain’s White Matter, Imaging Reveals

Researchers Identify Gene Variations Specifically Associated with Intellectual Disability

READ

Posted: October 14, 2016

Researchers Identify Gene Associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

READ

Posted: July 21, 2016

Researchers Unravel New Details of How the Brain Processes Fear

Abstract textured background pattern with squares

READ

Posted: March 28, 2016

Research Reveals New Pathway that Controls Memory and Learning in the Brain

Researchers Track Gene Alterations in Brain Area Perturbed by Stress

READ

Posted: February 26, 2016

Researchers Track Gene Alterations in Brain Area Perturbed by Stress

TAKEAWAY: Researchers have identified a molecular pathway in a specific neural connection in the brain that is disrupted in patients with 22q11 deletion syndrome, a genetic error that is associated with schizophrenia. The pathway, which relies on a microRNA called miR-338-3p, is involved in neural communication between regions of the brain that are likely involved in auditory hallucinations and psychosis, suggesting it may be a potential drug target for alternative therapeutic strategies

READ

Posted: February 05, 2016

In PTSD, Brain Overreacts to Cues Not Directly Linked to Negative Experiences

READ

Posted: December 08, 2015

New Insight About Why Mild Stress Can Trigger Extreme Responses in PTSD and Other Disorders

READ

Posted: November 10, 2015

MDMA, Used in Treatment for PTSD, Helps Reduce Fear Response in Mice

READ

Posted: October 16, 2015

Connections with Brain’s Emotion Center Tied to Symptoms of Depression and PTSD

READ

Posted: September 14, 2015

Drug Helps Mice Respond Normally to Fear After Traumatic Experience

READ

Posted: August 31, 2015

Unique Brain Activity and Development Patterns Found in Youths With PTSD

READ

Posted: May 15, 2015

Shrinkage in Brain Structure Linked to Severe PTSD Symptoms, Combat Exposure

READ

Posted: May 01, 2015

Altered Circuits May Cause ‘Out-Of-Body’ Symptoms in Some People with PTSD

READ

Posted: March 31, 2015

PTSD May be Driven and Predicted by Genes That Regulate the Immune System

READ

Posted: January 26, 2015

Scientists Pick Apart a Fear Circuit in the Brain and Find a Molecular Target for Future Anti-Anxiety Treatments

READ

Posted: October 08, 2014

Brain Imaging Helps Link Specific Symptoms of PTSD with Specific Brain Activity

READ

Posted: October 02, 2014

Identifying Genetics that Support Resilience or Vulnerability to PTSD May Advance Treatments

READ

Posted: August 29, 2014

Even “Forgotten” Trauma May Trigger PTSD Symptoms in Adults

READ

Posted: August 15, 2014

Unraveling How Trauma Converts to PTSD

READ

Posted: August 15, 2014

Optimism about New Treatments: Acting Quickly, in the “Golden Hours”

READ

Posted: August 15, 2014

Identifying How Early Stress Impacts the Brain

READ

Posted: August 15, 2014

Creating New Possibilities for Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

READ

Posted: August 11, 2014

Foundation Prizewinner Discovers Brain Wiring Underlying Vulnerability for Stress-Related Mental Illness

READ

Posted: July 28, 2014

Released Today: How Do Emotional Traumas Pass from Parent to Child?

READ

Posted: July 10, 2014

New Discovery Points Toward New Medications to Treat and Potentially Prevent PTSD

READ

Posted: June 09, 2014

Optogenetics Provides Evidence of the Biology Behind Making and Losing Memories

READ

Posted: April 04, 2014

New Study Confirms Medication Can Improve Effectiveness of Psychotherapy to Treat PTSD

READ

Posted: March 05, 2014

“Sleep to Forget:” A Potential New Way to Treat PTSD

READ

Posted: March 04, 2014

PBS Newshour Features NARSAD Grantee’s Research on Helping Children Cope with PTSD

READ

Posted: February 20, 2014

Foundation Funding Helps Researchers Identify New Brain Activity at Play in PTSD

READ

Posted: February 19, 2014

Foundation-Funded Study Leads to Important Discovery about Stress and Mental Illness

READ

Posted: January 22, 2014

Medication May Enhance Effects of Psychotherapy to More Effectively Treat PTSD

READ

Posted: October 01, 2013

NARSAD Grantee Proposes That New Treatment Approach Can Alleviate PTSD Symptoms During Sleep

READ

Posted: September 23, 2013

Understanding How Memories are Replaced Offers Potential for New PTSD Treatments

READ

Posted: September 20, 2013

Discoveries about Early Life Stress Pave Way toward New Depression, Anxiety, PTSD Treatments

READ

Posted: July 30, 2013

U.S. News & World Report Cites Foundation Grantee on Future PTSD Preventative Treatment

READ

Posted: May 20, 2013

Discovering How the Brain Rewires After Injury―and Where Anxiety May Originate

READ

Posted: May 03, 2013

Child Abuse as Cause of PTSD: NARSAD Grantees Find Unique Biological “Imprint”

READ

Posted: April 12, 2013

Contributing Factors for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Identified by NARSAD Grantee

READ

Posted: March 08, 2013

With Cutting Edge Technology, New Way to Reduce Anxiety Symptoms Discovered

READ

Posted: March 01, 2013

A Prescription for Resilience: World Expert Helps Explain What Can Make Us Stronger in the Face of Adversity

READ

Posted: January 31, 2013

NARSAD Grantees Gain Insight on Fear Memories, May Help Treat PTSD

READ

Posted: December 06, 2012

Research by NARSAD Grantee May Lead to New Way to Treat PTSD and Drug Addiction

READ

Posted: December 04, 2012

NARSAD Grantee Finds Early Trauma Triggers Genetic Predisposition to PTSD

READ

Posted: October 18, 2012

Foundation NYC Symposium Commentator Speaks of Neuroplasticity on “Big Think"

READ

Posted: September 13, 2012

Scientific Council Member Part of Research Team to Identify Preventive Measure for PTSD

READ

Posted: May 01, 2012

NARSAD Grantee Targets Preventative Measures for Stress-Related Illnesses

READ

Posted: January 27, 2012

First Lady's Initiative to Boost PTSD Research: 92 Foundation-Funded Institutions Participate

READ

Posted: November 09, 2011

Novel Potential Molecular Target for Treatment of PTSD Identified by NARSAD Independent Investigator Grantee

READ

Posted: November 09, 2011

Discovery about electrical synapses points to new ways of treating trauma and anxiety disorders

READ

Posted: April 11, 2011

Research Suggests Why and How Women Are More Vulnerable to PTSD

READ

Posted: March 01, 2011

Research Finding Identifies New Biological Pathway for PTSD

READ

Posted: February 28, 2011

Hearing from NARSAD Young Investigators (Part 5)

READ

Posted: February 01, 2011

Linking Brain and Behavior: Gifted researcher advances understanding of the brain’s biology that leads to breakthroughs in treatment of anxiety and other disorders

READ

Posted: January 01, 2011

NARSAD Young Investigator Makes Discovery That Opens Entire New Field of Study in Brain and Behavior Research

READ

Posted: November 01, 2010

NARSAD-Funded Research Identifies How Early Trauma Changes the Brain and Can Cause PTSD

READ

Posted: November 01, 2010

Discovering the Brain’s Role in Resiliency and Susceptibility to Stress

READ

Posted: July 11, 2010

PTSD: Who Is At Risk – And What Can Be Done?

READ

Posted: April 17, 2010

Fear Revisited: Using Virtual Reality to Overcome PTSD and Phobias

READ

Posted: April 01, 2010

Yuval Neria and Alina Suris: Pitting 21st-century science against the psychic toll of trauma

3.6%

3.6% of the US Adult population experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the past year.*

* Source: National institute of Mental Health

5% of children age 13-18

5% of adolescents age 13-18 in the US experience PTSD in their lifetime.*

* Source: National institute of Mental Health

8 million adults

About 8 million adults have PTSD during a given year. This is only a small portion of those who have gone through a trauma.*

* Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Featured Tweet

Researchers use gene-based association studies to uncover variations in NLGN1 that suggest a genetic basis for #PTSD. TWEET