PREVENT Study Federal Grant Award Summary

Emory University has received a $1,229,954 Project Grant from the National Institute of Mental Health under the Mental Health Research Grants program (CFDA 93.242) for the period April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2028. The award funds the PREVENT Study: Promoting Resilience via Early Neurostimulation After Trauma, a clinical research initiative designed to prevent chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in trauma survivors by targeting early brain-based risk mechanisms. The research leverages transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive neuromodulation technique, to dampen amygdala hyperreactivity—a well-established neurobiological predictor of chronic PTSD symptoms—in emergency department patients within one week of trauma exposure.

The R61 phase of the project will deliver a staged single-blind TMS intervention with escalating active treatment doses following a lead-in sham condition, with key deliverables including: (1) demonstration of target engagement showing active TMS reduces amygdala threat reactivity compared to sham treatment, and (2) determination of optimal dose-response relationships between one and four TMS sessions. By intervening early after trauma exposure, the research aims to prevent the cascade of debilitating symptoms including hyper-arousal, intrusive memories, and negative affect that characterize chronic PTSD.