# Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Augmented Written Exposure Therapy for Veterans with PTSD

> **NIH VA IK2** · OLIN TEAGUE VETERANS CENTER · 2024 · —

## Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is highly prevalent among post-deployment Veterans. First
line evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) for PTSD can be effective, but have limitations
including high attrition rates, due in part to lengthy treatment protocols, and continued diagnosis of
PTSD in a significant number of patients despite treatment completion. Alternate brain-based
treatments are thus being explored, like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS ), which
is useful for depression and shows promise for PTSD. rTMS involves applying a repetitive, brief
magnetic pulse to the scalp in order to safely modulate cortical neurons via the dorsolateral
prefrontal cortex node, which is believed to improve control of cognition and emotions. Standard
rTMS treatments are stand-alone, though the unique properties of rTMS enhancing cognitive
control may make it more effective when added to an EBP for PTSD. A brief EBP for PTSD that is
effective in as few as five sessions with limited attrition is written exposure therapy (WET).
Integration of rTMS with WET could improve efficacy by improving emotional control-dependent
cognitive restructuring, which is believed to be WET’s mechanism of action. However, this
possibility has not been tested.
 The applicant, Dr. Lantrip, is a clinical neuropsychologist with expertise in brain -behavior
relationships. She has significant experience studying behavioral and neural regulatory processes
impacting mental health. Through her postdoctoral fellowship, she developed a theoretical
framework for understanding the emotion regulatory mechanisms contributing to symptom
improvement in rTMS for depression. She tested this theory in an rTMS clinical trial. Through her
current primary VA appointment at the VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning
War Veterans, Dr. Lantrip has access to a large pool of Veterans with PTSD as well as to a
research-dedicated TMS machine. Further, Dr. Lantrip has established collaborations with external
researchers who are experts in rTMS treatment in Veterans and in WET. In short, Dr. Lantrip is in
an ideal position to conduct the necessary research to augment behavioral therapy for PTSD with
rTMS.
 In the proposed randomized controlled trial, Dr. Lantrip will compare active rTMS added to WET
with sham rTMS added to WET in [98] Veterans with PTSD. She will also determine the
mechanism of action of the treatment by determining if emotional flexibility is a mediator of
treatment outcome.
 In summary, this project will attempt to augment WET, a brief EBP for PTSD, by adding rTMS,
and it will also attempt to determine the emotion regulatory mechanism of action for symptom
improvement. If successful, this work will influence both clinical treatment and scientific
investigation of PTSD. This project will be of potentially great value to both patients and clinicians
within the VA by providing an effective, efficient treatment option for veterans with PTSD. This
treatment may...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10909786
- **Project number:** 5IK2CX002101-03
- **Recipient organization:** OLIN TEAGUE VETERANS CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Crystal Lantrip
- **Activity code:** IK2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-01-01 → 2026-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10909786

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10909786, Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Augmented Written Exposure Therapy for Veterans with PTSD (5IK2CX002101-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10909786. Licensed CC0.

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