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NIH grant 1I01RD002519-01: Establishing a multidimensional neurocognitive framework for repetitive negative thinking after traumatic stress
Institute: {'code': 'VA', 'abbreviation': 'VA', 'name': 'Veterans Affairs', 'admin_org_id': '12500964', 'admin_funding_url': ''}. PI: Jessica Bomyea. Award: $.
Start: 2026-10-01T00:00:00.
Significance to VA. Repetitive negative thinking (RNT)—including intrusive memories, rumination, and worry—
is a debilitating cognitive process that frequently emerges following trauma exposure and contributes to chronic
psychiatric symptoms in Veterans. RNT predicts poor recovery, is linked to heightened physiological stress
responses, and is resistant to current treatments. Understanding and targeting RNT represents a critical unmet
need in VA mental health care, with the potential to improve outcomes for a broad spectrum of Veterans with
PTSD and related disorders.
Innovation and Impact. This study is among the first to integrate real-world mobile cognitive assessments with
fMRI to identify neural signatures and real-time predictors of posttraumatic RNT. It leverages a dimensional,
transdiagnostic approach to study RNT across intrusive thought types—re-experiencing, rumination, and worry—
and across multiple biobehavioral domains. It will link brain function to daily symptom expression, and as a result
will generate novel, mechanistically-informed targets for intervention and provide actionable insight into when
and where to intervene in Veterans’ daily lives.
Specific Aims. Aim 1: Characterize the real-world temporal dynamics of posttraumatic RNT.
Hypothesis: RNT episodes will be preceded by increased negative emotion, environmental triggers, and reduced
cognitive control, and will result in worsened negative emotion and avoidance. Aim 2: Identify neural substrates
of posttraumatic RNT across key biobehavioral systems. Hypothesis: RNT severity will be associated with a
pattern of dysfunction in 2a) self-referential processing, 2b) cognitive control, and 2c) threat processing neural
circuitry. Aim 3: Determine whether neural signatures predict global and time-varying real-world RNT.
Hypothesis: Neural dysfunction in the above networks will predict higher frequency and intensity of RNT in daily
life, particularly in emotionally negative contexts.
Methodology. Veterans with elevated PTSD symptoms (N=220) will complete fMRI tasks probing cognitive
control, threat reactivity, and self-referential processing. Over two weeks, they will complete ecological
momentary assessments using NeuroUX to report RNT and complete mobile cognitive tasks. Multilevel modeling
will link fMRI-derived neural features to real-time expression of RNT and its situational correlates.
Path to Translation/Implementation. Findings will establish mechanistic targets for future clinical trials focused
on modulating brain function (e.g., neurostimulation, cognitive training) and will identify real-world triggers
suitable for just-in-time mobile intervention delivery. This will set the stage for next-phase mechanistic
intervention development to directly benefit Veterans struggling with persistent posttraumatic RNT.document fetched 2026-10-24 02:46