2025 Conference Agenda

GO TO DAY ONE (May 5, 2025)

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Continental Breakfast

Chairperson's Opening Remarks

Johns Hopkins’ Incipient Program for the Study of Psychedelic Therapies in PTSD and Preliminary Results

In this presentation, Dr. Weiss will provide an overview of current and future studies including (1) an investigation of how useful trauma-focused psychotherapy is as an adjunct to Psilocybin Therapy, (2) an investigation of the effectiveness of ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT in the treatment of PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury among Special Operations Forces Veterans, and (3) an investigation of the safety and efficacy of concurrently administered Psilocybin and MDMA in the treatment of PTSD among military Veterans. He will also present preliminary findings regarding PTSD treatment response in relation to Psilocybin Therapy, including changes in maladaptive beliefs and avoidance, and early observations about the utility of and barriers to administering elements of Cognitive Processing Therapy and in vivo exposure therapy following psilocybin sessions.

Brandon Weiss, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Psychedelic & Consciousness Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

9:15 AM

Novel Treatment for PTSD Based on Memory Reconsolidation Theory

In this presentation, Dr. Tanev will cover the following:

Current treatments for PTSD
Memory consolidation, deconsolidation, reconsolidation, and reconsolidation blockade
Studies on memory reconsolidation blockade relevant to the treatment of PTSD
Description of our study Mismatch vs. standard intervention during memory reconsolidation blockade with propranolol
Preliminary results

Kalo Tanev, MD , Chief Medical Officer & Senior Director, Research, Mass General Home Base

9:45 AM

Morning Coffee & Tea Break/Poster & Exhibit Viewing

10:15 AM

Post-Traumatic stress disorder and dementia in World Trade Center responders

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been diagnosed in approximately 20% of World Trade Center (WTC) responders and is still common in more than 10% of WTC responders twenty years after exposure. Recently, our work has identified cortical and subcortical changes that are common in those with PTSD, and we have identified cortical changes consistent with neurodegenerative disease in responders with chronic PTSD who have subsequently developed dementia. The goal of this talk is to describe ongoing work that seeks to understand the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment and dementia in responders with chronic PTSD, and to describe neuroanatomical features of PTSD and neurodegenerative features of dementia subsequent to chronic PTSD.

Sean Clouston, Ph.D. , Professor, Dept of Family, Population, & Preventive Medicine, Program in Public Health, Stony Brook Medicine

10:45 AM

The Impact of PTSD on the Autonomic Nervous System: Rapid Assessment with Advanced Pupillometry and Pharmaceutical Treatment for Notable Improvements in PTSD symptoms in 3 Weeks

This presentation will explore two case studies examining the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on the autonomic nervous system. The first case study involves five PTSD patients and four control subjects, focusing on key parameters that assess the severity of PTSD’s effects on autonomic function, specifically through cranial nerves controlling the visual cortex. The second case study investigates a pharmaceutical treatment option, demonstrating notable improvements in PTSD symptoms within just three weeks of administration.

Michael Zarreii, MSEE, Chief Scientific Officer, Axon Medical Technologies

11:15 AM

The Best of Both Worlds: Combining Non-invasive Brain Stimulation with Exposure for PTSD Treatment

In this presentation, Dr. van't Wout-Frank will cover findings from a double-blind, randomized controlled trial using transcranial direct current stimulation plus virtual reality in veterans with PTSD. I will further describe potential mechanisms of action of treatment effect and response.

Mascha van't Wout-Frank, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Dept. of Psychiatry & Human Behavior; Investigator, Center for Neurorestoration & Neurotechnology, Brown University; VA Providence Healthcare System

11:45 AM

Susceptibility Factors for a PTSD-like Phenotype and Building Resilience

In this talk we will discuss an integrative conceptual framework of risk, susceptibility and sequalae factors and present findings from a pre-clinical model revealing some susceptibility and sequalae factors. We will also discuss sex differences and approaches to building resilience. Lastly, we will present clinical findings that are consistent with the findings from the pre-clinical model.

Almira Vazdarjanova, Ph.D. , Professor, Dept of Pharmacology & Toxicology/Primary Investigator, Augusta University, Medical College of Georgia/VA Research Service

12:15 PM

Lunch (provided)/End of Conference