Determining the Benefits of Exercise on Cardiovascular Risk in PTSD

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to use a non-invasive imaging technique called positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) to investigate the effects of exercise on brain activity and arterial (blood vessel) inflammation in people with PTSD symptoms and evidence of or elevated risk for artery disease.

Conditions

  • PTSD
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 65 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Age 18-65 years - Trauma exposure - PTSD symptoms - Subclinical atherosclerotic CVD (e.g., coronary, cerebrovascular, or peripheral arterial plaque or calcifications on imaging), clinical atherosclerotic CVD (e.g., myocardial infarction or revascularization), or increased risk for atherosclerotic CVD (i.e., >2 of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and active smoking) - Ability to understand and sign informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

  • History of stroke, brain surgery, or seizure - Use of certain CVD medications (e.g., beta-blockers, high-intensity statins [e.g., rosuvastatin 20/40 mg and atorvastatin 40/80 mg], PCSK-9 inhibitors) - Psychiatric or cardiovascular medication change within 4 weeks (i.e., stable regimen is allowed) - Unstable blood pressure or cardiac arrhythmia - Currently in a supervised or graduated exercise program - Neurological or systemic inflammatory disease/current systemic anti-inflammatory therapy - Moderate/severe alcohol/substance use disorder - Current mania/psychosis - Weight >300 lbs. - Claustrophobia - Pregnancy - Metal implants - Uncontrolled hyperglycemia (HgbA1c>7.5%) - Subjects who have had significant radiation exposure as part of research (>2 nuclear tests, computed tomography images, or fluoroscopic procedures) during the preceding 12-months

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
N/A
Intervention Model
Single Group Assignment
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Other
Exercise
  • Behavioral: Exercise
    The exercise program will consist of specifically designed activities to place a gradually increasing workload on the cardiovascular system.

Recruiting Locations

Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston 4930956, Massachusetts 6254926 02114
Contact:
Antonia Seligowski, PhD
617-643-0954
aseligowski@mgh.harvard.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Massachusetts General Hospital

Study Contact

Antonia Seligowski, PhD
617-643-0954
aseligowski@mgh.harvard.edu