Ann Rasmusson

Dr. Rasmusson’s basic research focused on understanding the role of the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus in coordinating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, mesoprefrontal cortical monoamine, and behavioral responses to unconditioned and conditioned stress. Her clinical research has contributed to the current expanded view of neurobiological factors that contribute to PTSD risk and stress resilience. This research has evolved to focus on gender differences in the neurobiology of PTSD and a role for neuroactive steroids and neuropeptides in the pathophysiology and treatment of PTSD and its comorbidities. She is currently a Lead Investigator of a DOD sponsored multisite Phase II investigation of the GABAergic neuroactive steroid ganaxolone in the treatment of PTSD and Principal Investigator on an NIMH study of GABAergic neuroactive steroids in the pathophysiology of PTSD, a VA Merit Review investigating gender-related neurobiological factors that promote refractory nicotine dependence in veterans with PTSD, and the VA RR&D sponsored Translational Center for Traumatic Brain Injury and Stress (TRACTS) investigation of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) efficacy in PTSD with and without TBI. She is the author of 56 peer-reviewed papers, reviews, and chapters