This study aims to test whether aerobic exercise performed after fear extinction learning improves cognitive, physiological, and neural indices of extinction recall in a sample of trauma-exposed men and women with and without posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants will complete a clinical intake visit (Day 0), followed by a three-day fear conditioning (day 1), fear extinction + activity (day 2), and fear extinction recall (day 3) protocol.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
120
Participants will complete either a 30-minute bout of light-, moderate-, or high-intensity aerobic exercise at one of the visits.
Wade Hall - University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States
RECRUITINGSkin conductance responses
SCR data will be collected while participants are completing the cognitive task in the MRI environment.
Time frame: Collected during fear conditioning, fear extinction, and extinction recall task.
Threat expectancy ratings
Threat expectancy ratings will be collected while participants are completing the cognitive task in the MRI environment.
Time frame: Collected during fear conditioning, fear extinction, and extinction recall task.
Neural activity
Neural activity will be collected while participants are completing the cognitive task in the MRI environment.
Time frame: Collected during fear conditioning, fear extinction, and extinction recall task.
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