Understanding the neural underpinnings of a novel PTSD therapy: Goal Management Therapy

A wide range of cognitive faculties are commonly compromised in numerous trauma-exposed populations, leading to impaired functioning, and reduced treatment response rates. There is a dire need for novel therapies that can directly target such deficits in top-down cognitive control. Goal management training (GMT) is one such cognitive remediation therapy found to be effective for some other psychopathologies. Despite its success, the neural underpinnings of GMT-linked cognitive improvements remain shrouded in mystery. This proposal aims to study the impact of a 9-week GMT randomized control trial on the structure and function of neural systems known to be dysregulated in PTSD. This study will utilize a trauma-relevant emotional working memory task to test the participant’s executive processes in the context of their trauma, while also collecting structural and functional neuroimaging data using Canada’s only operational 7T MRI. The functional MRI (fMRI) data will probe therapy-linked changes in three cognitively relevant brain networks, while the structural MRI data will investigate therapy-linked changes in patterns of myelination. Taken together, these results will be the first characterization of the neural changes associated with GMT therapy-driven resolution of PTSD symptoms, and can position the Homewood Research Institute as a pioneer of novel psychiatric treatments.

Faculty Supervisor:

Ruth Lanius

Student:

Partner:

Homewood Research Institute

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

The University of Western Ontario

Program: