Participants Sought for PTS Study

This: "and can be civilians, veterans or in active military duty" is an important point made in this announcement, at least for my thinking as well as others. PTSD doesn't only happen to those serving in the military and in combat theaters. If more had taken heed and listened to us as we returned from Vietnam, or had really paid closer attention using critical thought long before, they would have a better understanding as to not only combat theater veterans but the individual in civilian populations who's own traumatic experiences that can cause the same reactions in ones brain process. They heard but the masses don't like funding the results of the wars they support, thus most veterans were left to their own devises and civilians were either suffering in silence or misdiagnosed, including civilians is an important step.

Study of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Seeks Participants

Apr 30, 2011 - Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine and the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System have launched an imaging study to identify changes that occur in the brains of people with post-traumatic stress disorder during psychotherapy. The results of the trial could give researchers a greater understanding of how the therapy works and could lead to the design of new treatments.

“Understanding the brain mechanisms of psychotherapy will allow us to personalize treatment and make treatments better,” said principal investigator Amit Etkin, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at Stanford and an investigator at the VA’s Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center. “Our study will also create a neural template upon which we can develop novel therapies.”

The five-year study needs 64 participants with symptoms of PTSD. Participants must be over the age of 18 and can be civilians, veterans or in active military duty; a previous diagnosis of PTSD is not necessary, as study staff will do their own diagnoses. People with bipolar disorder, a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia or active substance abuse are not eligible for the trial, nor are those for whom MRI is not recommended (because of embedded shrapnel or electronic equipment).

Those interested in participating or obtaining more information about the trial should call (650) 725-9510 or e-mail Stanford Psychiatry. Additional information can also be found at Stanford Participate.

PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can have devastating effects on daily life and function. The disorder affects 6.8 percent of Americans and is triggered by a traumatic event, such as military combat, physical assault, rape or the death of a child. Rates of PTSD are higher in certain populations, such as combat troops, where they exceed 30 percent. In general, women are twice as likely to develop PTSD as men. {continued}

Studies like this, as well as what has Finally been taking place in the past decade, should have started some forty years ago. Instead we had to have two more wars of choice for the lightbulbs to go off in the masses minds and they still don't demand their own 'sacrifice' in funding the results of war!!