Brain scans reveal how trauma therapy restores joy in PTSD
NCT ID NCT06096740
First seen May 06, 2026 · Last updated Jun 22, 2026 · Updated 11 times
Summary
This study looks at how a type of talk therapy called Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) affects brain circuits linked to pleasure and reward in people with PTSD. Researchers will use brain scans to track changes in 120 adults with chronic PTSD. The goal is to understand why some people regain the ability to feel positive emotions after trauma-focused therapy.
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This is a summary of
the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Health Discovery Building (HDB), 1601 Trinity St., Bldg B., Z0600
RECRUITINGAustin, Texas, 78712, United States
Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
What this could lead to
If successful, this study could reveal how trauma therapy improves the brain's ability to feel pleasure, pointing toward more targeted treatments for PTSD-related anhedonia.
What could go wrong
This is an early-stage observational study focused on brain changes, not a treatment trial. Results may not lead to new therapies, and individual responses to therapy vary.
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.