# Cognitive Training as a Novel Neuroscience-based Treatment for PTSD

> **NIH VA IK2** · VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · 2021 · —

## Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic, disabling condition that occurs in a subgroup of
individuals after experiencing traumatic stress, and is common in Veterans seeking mental health treatment at
the VA. Although evidence-based psychosocial treatments exist for PTSD, a substantial portion of individuals
do not fully respond to treatment. Thus, there is a clear need to continue researching novel interventions for
PTSD in Veterans. Recently, new interventions for mental health disorders have utilized computerized
cognitive training techniques in order to improve the functioning of cognitive systems and reduce symptoms.
This type of intervention, often referred to as neurotherapeutics, may hold promise for PTSD as a method for
ameliorating symptoms and improving cognition. Individuals with PTSD demonstrate difficulties with cognitive
control functions, which appear to be causally implicated in symptoms of the disorder (e.g., intrusive trauma-
related memories). To date the efficacy of neurotherapeutics for PTSD has been understudied in Veterans.
 The current proposal aims to bridge research on basic neurocognitive mechanisms of PTSD with
intervention research by conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a cognitive control training
program in 80 Veterans with PTSD. Veterans will complete computer-based training exercises designed
to specifically target and improve aspects of cognitive control. Veterans will complete the program twice
per week for eight weeks. Symptoms will be assessed before and after treatment, as well as at a two-
month follow up time point. The primary goal of the study is to examine the effect of the intervention on
PTSD symptoms and cognitive deficits. Evaluating symptom change as a result of the intervention will
provide critical data regarding the utility of this program as a PTSD treatment. If effective, this training
program could serve as alternative treatment option for Veterans with PTSD, and could be translated into
an easily transportable intervention for dissemination (e.g., through web-based platforms). A secondary
goal is to use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to better understand the mechanisms by
which cognitive training culminates in symptom reduction. If training cognitive control with
neurotherapeutics directly enhances functioning of specific neural substrates as hypothesized,
improvements in affective processes relying on shared neural regions would also be predicted. Modifying
functioning in these substrates with training may thus reduce symptoms by improving neural functioning
while processing and managing trauma-related affect and information. Neural systems used for cognitive
control targeted in the training described (e.g., dorsolateral prefrontal cortex [dlPFC]) are also recruited
when individuals mentally manipulate emotional information, such as when individuals use reappraisal to
change the way that they think about negative emotional situations or content. In this ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10060728
- **Project number:** 5IK2CX001600-04
- **Recipient organization:** VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** Jessica Bomyea
- **Activity code:** IK2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-10-01 → 2022-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10060728

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10060728, Cognitive Training as a Novel Neuroscience-based Treatment for PTSD (5IK2CX001600-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10060728. Licensed CC0.

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