The M-PATH Study: Memory, PTSD, and The Heart

Eligibility

• Are aged 18-40 years 

• Speak English 

• Are right-handed 

• Do not have a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD); do not have a history of neurological trauma or developmental disorders; do not have an acute, unstable, or severe medical disorder 

• Do not have a moderate to severe substance use disorder 

• Do not have current or past bipolar disorder 

• Do not have current or past psychotic disorder 

• Are not pregnant 

• Have not recently used antipsychotic, mood stabilizer, antidepressant, or stimulant medication; have not recently used benzodiazepine medication daily; are not currently using beta-blocker medication 

• Do not have metal in the body 

Purpose

This study will examine how mental health after very stressful experiences may be related to aspects of memory. Specifically, we are looking at how these experiences and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may contribute to changes in memory and physiological state. PTSD is associated with alterations in how and when these experiences are remembered. Thus, this study aims to explore associations between PTSD and these memory-related processes. 

Involvement

Participants will be asked to complete a clinical interview and two in-person visits. The clinical interview will ask about emotional well-being, including responses to trauma, and participants will also complete some questionnaires about physical health. The two lab visits will involve: 1) MRI brain scans and memory and comprehension tasks, and 2) blood pressure and heart rate measurement, as well as additional tasks testing memory and perception. In addition, participants will also complete tasks while we measure physical responses non-invasively (for example, the electrical activity of the heart, facial muscles, and skin). We will also measure these responses while participants answer some questions about the stressful or traumatic event they spoke about during the clinical interview.

Benefits

Up to $315 in compensation for eligible participants.

Contact

The M-PATH Study Team:

Call or text (310)737-8279

Fill out our participation interest form here: https://www.ctrc.medsch.ucla.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=8AXXACN8FHC3K8JL