Intrinsic and Novelty-related Sensory Cortical (SC) Disinhibition and Sensory-Prefrontal-cortex-Amygdala (SPA) Pathology in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (Aims 1 & 2; Expts. 1a &1b)
This study will take a basic neuroscience approach to investigate pathological mechanisms underlying PTSD. Additionally, the study aims to identify how Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) brain stimulation can modulate and correct neural networks and related emotions of anxious arousal and hypervigilance, with the goal of assessing tACS brain stimulation technology as a novel intervention for symptoms of anxiety.
• Right-handed
• With normal or corrected-to-normal vision and normal olfaction
• Between the ages of 18 and 50 years
• Meeting the tACS screening criteria (see List I below; e.g., lack of a serious head injury or loss of consciousness)
• Patients: Diagnosis of PTSD
• Patients: If taking psychotropic medications, medication stability in the past 2 months
• If having mild substance use disorder (for patients) or occasional substance use, abstention from use 48 hours before the experiment.