The goal of this study is to determine if a self-report measure administered on a mobile phone provides similar answers to those obtained on a paper and pencil. We will offer participants two administrations of the self report measure spaced an hour apart.

MUSC is one of several sites throughout the US linked together into a clinical trials consortium. Numerous medications and devices will be tested over the next few years at the study sites. This omnibus protocol is designed to uniformly acquire brain MRI data in all participants in all of the trials at all of the sites in a manner that ultimately will allow for large analyses. There are also plans to recruit screen and scan control subjects.

This study is testing the efficacy of Prolonged Exposure for PTSD (PE) relative to treatment-as-usual in Veterans with severe and persistent mental illness (SMI; schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, severe unipolar disorder) treated at the Charleston VAMC.

This study is a prospective, randomized (1:1), controlled, multisite study of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction [MBSR] in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]. MBSR will be compared to Present Centered Group Therapy [PCGT].

The specific aims of this study are:
Primary Aim: (H1) to evaluate the efficacy of MBSR in the treatment of PTSD.
Secondary Aims: (S1) to evaluate the effects of MBSR on mindfulness, depression, PTSD symptom clusters, rates of response and (S2) to evaluate the safety and tolerability of MBRS.

Exploratory Aims: It will also evaluate: (E1) whether or not the subjects’ treatment preference influences outcome; (E2) the stress-immunological-biomarkers as they relate to treatment outcome; (E3) the durability of therapeutic effects of MBSR in the treatment of PTSD, and (E4) the subjects’ acceptance of and satisfaction with MBSR.

The objective of the proposed study is to investigate the cortical excitability in combat related PTSD. To accomplish this objective, we will recruit combat veterans with and without PTSD. Clinical assessment will be performed to assess the severity of PTSD and combat exposure. A newly developed transcranial magnetic stimulation approach will be applied to examine the cortical excitability, then genetic analysis will be used to learn how genetic factors influence individual cortical excitability. We expect this innovative approach will enhance our knowledge about the mechnism of PTSD development.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether therapy for Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) veterans with PTSD symptoms can be delivered effectively using videoconferencing technology (telepsychology), which allows a therapist and patient who are not in the same room as one another to communicate. This study is being conducted at the Charleston VA and will involve approximately 200 participants. Compensation is provided for study participation. Participation in the study will last about 8 weeks, followed by 3 assessments over 6 months.

The purpose of this study is to examine the genetic and environmental determinants of risk and resilience to PTSD in OEF/OIF combat veterans. This study is being done at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, the Medical University of South Carolina, and the Atlanta VA Medical Center, and will involve approximately 800 volunteers. Up to 400 volunteers will be in this study at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and the Medical University of South Carolina. Compensation is provided for study participation. This is an evalution only study and participation will last 1-2 days.

This study compares the effectiveness of prolonged exposure therapy, sertraline, and their combination to treat PTSD. Participants receive medication management visits and/or prolonged exposure therapy.

This research taking place at the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC and surrounding Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), specifically that Savannah Clinic. It is for Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) who have had combat related posttraumatic stress disorder.

OIF/OEF Veterans needed with combat exposure.

The purpose of this study is to examine brain activity related to combat trauma, and to understand how individual hereditary factors can influence human behavior and brain activities after they have been exposed to traumatic situations.The study will use an investigational technology to measure how the brain changes when individuals are exposed to traumatic event. The new technology for noninvasively examining the brain is called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Compensation for time and travel is provided for completion of the visit.

Are you an OEF/OIF Veteran or Service Member?

Did you serve in the Iraq or Afghanistan or support those operations? If so, did you experience or witness a traumatic event, such as combat or a serious injury? Do you find that you are still affected by the event? For example, do you notice that you feel jumpy or irritable? Do you avoid situations that remind you of what happened, or have nightmares or unwanted memories? And do you find that you drink alcohol or use drugs to help cope with how the trauma has affected you? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a MUSC clinical trial testing a new therapy. You will be compensated for your time and information is kept strictly confidential. Transportation to appointments may be available.