Education and Training

Brain Response to Treatment for Pediatric PTSD

This study will examine how brain activation changes as a result of behavioral treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adolescents. The investigators will conduct functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans before and after the widely-used trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy to better understand how the brain recovers from illness. This study will provide much needed information about brain abnormalities in abused youth, and could lead to improvements in behavioral treatments for patients who do not respond to current treatments.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

Intervention(s):

  • behavioral: Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy

Eligibility


Inclusion Criteria:

   - ages 12-17, history of physical or sexual abuse, witnessing violence, or bullying; and
   English speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

   - receiving other psychotherapy currently, taking medications for a psychiatric disorder
   currently, history of head injury with loss of consciousness longer than 5 minutes;
   major medical condition such as epilepsy, diabetes, heart disease, or loss of hearing
   or vision, developmental disorder such as fragile X, autism, or Down's Syndrome, MRI
   contraindications including metal in the body from an injury or surgery,
   non-removeable piercings, or braces, Intelligence Quotient (IQ) < 70; schizophrenia,
   bipolar disorder, current substance abuse.

Ages Eligible for Study

9 Years - 17 Years

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Not currently accepting new patients for this trial

Contact Information

Stanford University
School of Medicine
300 Pasteur Drive
Stanford, CA 94305
Amy Garrett
650-736-1874
Not Recruiting