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Using Exercise to Enhance Consolidation of Exposure-Based Therapeutic Learning in PTSD

Award Number: R61MH132722
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/16/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2026

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Using Exercise to Enhance Consolidation of Exposure-Based Therapeutic Learning in PTSD - Project Summary The proposed R61/R33 project would build on our published pilot data and animal models to demonstrate that moderate intensity physical exercise delivered after exposure therapy engages fear circuitry and enhances the consolidation of therapeutic safety learning, thereby enabling enhanced symptom reduction for PTSD. In the R61 target engagement phase, adults with PTSD related to interpersonal violence (IPV) exposure would complete an initial session of imaginal exposure to traumatic memory cues adapted for an MRI setting. This would be followed by 30-mins of moderate intensity exercise or low intensity walking control. Participants would return 24-hrs later to complete a second session of imaginal exposure with MRI. We hypothesize greater between-session reductions in fear responding and fear circuit activation to traumatic memory cues 24-hrs later among those who exercised following the first session compared to those in the walking control condition. The R33 phase will build upon successful target engagement and adapt a brief version of prolonged exposure (PE) therapy to include moderate-intensity exercise or walking control after imaginal exposure. We hypothesize that PE with exercise will result in more rapid and larger reductions in PTSD symptoms and reduced fear- related neurocircuitry activation and affective arousal to trauma cues compared to PE plus walking control. Overall, this project is designed to demonstrate that a novel intervention (moderate intensity exercise) engages key mechanisms of therapeutic exposure, thereby enhancing the efficacy of exposure therapy.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2026	2025	UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE	500 S LIMESTONE	LEXINGTON	KY	40526	FAYETTE	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	2	11/18/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $1,043,990 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE	500 S LIMESTONE	LEXINGTON	KY	40526	FAYETTE	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	002	2	9/24/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$156,597
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE	500 S LIMESTONE	LEXINGTON	KY	40526	FAYETTE	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	001	2	4/7/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$887,393
2025	2024	UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE	500 S LIMESTONE	LEXINGTON	KY	40526	FAYETTE	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	11/13/2024	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $1,043,990

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $1,081,024 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE	500 S LIMESTONE	LEXINGTON	KY	40526	FAYETTE	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	001	1	6/11/2024	NEW	$106,775
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, THE	500 S LIMESTONE	LEXINGTON	KY	40526	FAYETTE	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	2/16/2024	NEW	$974,249
														Subtotal = $1,081,024

Grand Total All Awards = $2,125,014

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Using Exercise to Enhance Consolidation of Exposure-Based Therapeutic Learning in PTSD

Award Number: R61MH132722

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/16/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2026

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