Overview

The Center conducts pioneering, translational research in neuroscience that addresses the brain related prevention, onset and recovery elements of the neurobiology of trauma-related exposures. As part of the Department of Psychiatry of our nation’s military medical school, and a partnering center of the Defense Center of Excellence (DCoE) for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, the Center’s research in neuroscience and neurobiology is focused on solving issues of health and performance to optimize the psychological health and resilience of the military community and the public health of our nation. Stress, especially the extreme stress of traumatic events encountered in combat, can permanently alter brain neurobiology.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) represents a serious, potentially disabling and highly prevalent health consequence of deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan since the start of the war on terrorism. Pharmacological prevention and treatment of stress-related disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a topic of significant medical interest. The Center’s neuroscientific research from July 2007 through July 2008 has made major contributions in this arena.

CSTS has contributed to PTSD and trauma research over this past year