Yale University
Post-Traumatic Stress Laboratory
Welcome
About Us
At Yale University Post Traumatic Stress Laboratory, our research aims to improve the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by gaining understanding of the neurobiological, psychological and systemic issues that interface after exposure to trauma.
There are many questions we still have about PTSD. These questions propel the research we do in our lab and in collaboration with other investigators around the globe.
Who
is most likely to develop PTSD?
Who
might develop depression
in the aftermath of trauma?
What differentiates resiliency from vulnerability?
Should we treat
PTSD using psychological treatment, medications,
or both?
How
can we improve the current therapeutic options?
Want To Participate?
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What Do We Do?
Our lab uses the tools of neuroscience to better understand
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
We investigate how the brain changes after traumatic stress,
and how to foster new neural learning that promotes holistic recovery.
Research
Are you interested in medication, novel treatments, or just want to contribute to the scientific understanding of PTSD?
Neurofeedback for PTSD
Take Control Over Your Brain
What if you could see your brain's response to stress? This study uses MR imaging to target the region of the brain that activates under stress, then presents real-time neurofeedback to participants. Learn therapeutic techniques to develop mastery over your brain's response to reminders of trauma.
Fear Learning in PTSD
How Do We Learn to Fear?
How do we recognize signals of danger and signals of safety? By understanding how the brain learns fear, we can better predict and treat post-traumatic stress. This study involves learning relationships between visual stimuli and aversive outcomes. Do those with PTSD learn differently than those without?
Cannabinoid Receptor Imaging
Measuring CB1 Receptor Expression
The effects of cannabis are mediated by brain cannabinoid receptors. All brains express these receptors whether or not one uses marijuana. This type of receptor may play critical roles in learning, memory, and the development of PTSD. This study will measure cannabinoid receptor levels in adults with PTSD.
Neuroimaging in PTSD
Track Symptoms with Neuroimaging
Have you ever wondered how psychotherapy affects your brain? We combine behavioral tasks with MR imaging to observe fear-related circuitry in your brain throughout the course of PTSD treatment. We aim to see how symptom reduction exhibits in the brain.
Ketamine and Prolonged-Exposure Therapy for PTSD
Combining Neurobiology
and New Learning
Ketamine may boost the brain's ability to change and grow. This study includes a single infusion of ketamine prior to a one-week course of evidence-based psychotherapy. Our aim is to use ketamine to enhance the new learning that takes place throughout therapy.
Contact us
Get in touch for more information about our studies and volunteer opportunities.
203-937-4760
Your privacy is important to us. Your personal information will not be shared with anyone but Yale personnel, for research purposes only.