Research Clinics

Yale Trauma Research Program

The mission of the Yale Trauma Research Program (YTRP) is to conduct research on the neurobiological effects of psychological trauma with a goal of a better understanding and treatment of those inflicted with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Posttraumatic stress disorder represents a complex interrelationship between mind and brain, experience and neurobiology. In PTSD, what one sees, smells, and hears, can translate in brain structure and function.  These changes may underlie symptoms of PTSD.  

What is PTSD?

PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that occurs in as many as 25% of individuals exposed to a traumatic event.  PTSD follows exposure to a traumatic event involving death, serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of the self or others. The traumatic event must be persistently re-experienced in the form of distressing images, thoughts, perceptions, dreams, or reliving; intense psychological or physiological reactivity may also be present on being reminded of the event. Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma and numbing of responsiveness must be present since the trauma. Persistent symptoms of increased arousal should be present since the trauma. The duration should be at least 1 month. 

Symptoms of PTSD include: nightmares, flashbacks, memory & concentration problems, hyperarousal, hypervigilance, intrusive memories, avoidance, startle responses, feeling worse with traumatic reminders, emotional numbing, dissociative and out of body experiences, derealization, amnesia, fragmented sense of self and identity, anxiety and panic attacks, and claustrophobia. Individuals with PTSD are vulnerable to high levels of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, phobias, personality disorders, flashbacks, emotional numbing and nightmares.

Studies at the YTRP

Our studies focus on assessment of hormones involved in the stress response, and assessment of brain structure and function in patients with PTSD.  These structures include structural and functional neuroimaging (using MRI and PET).  Studies include:

• Clinical Trials using different medications in the treatment of PTSD (flouxetine (Prozac), nefazadone (Serzone), paroxetine (Paxil), and Phenytoin (Cilantin).  These clinical research trials have a duration of 6-9 months. 
• Assessment of the stress hormone cortisol and other hormones in women with a history of abuse.
• MRI in the evaluation of hippocampal volume in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. 
• Twin study in comparative neuroimaging and memory in PTSD.
• Olfactory precipitation and memory for smells in PTSD.
• Neurobiological correlates to stress and memory in Disociative Identity Disorder.
• Traumatic bereavement.

Eligibility

Most studies are generally available to men and women ages 18-65 who have a history of PTSD. They must be in good physical health, have been free of substance and alcohol problems.  For some studies we also recruit healthy control subjects.

For Information or Referral:

For further information about the YTRP please contact Jacque Piscitelli or Heather Douglas Palumberi at 203-737 5786 or you may call toll free 1-800-260-NH36.

The YTRP may also be reached at jbremner@yale.edu, meena.narayan@yale.edu or eric.vermetten@yale.edu  We are unable to compensate for travel so we suggest that you be within commuting distance of New Haven if you are interested. All participants will be compensated for their time and efforts. All medication and evaluations during the course of the clinical studies are free.

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