Autonomic Outflow as a Rapid Read-Out of Brain Stimulation Targets for Anxious Arousal
2026-08-04 20:00 - 21:00 UTC
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Speaker: Ryan Webler, MD
Autonomic hyperactivation is a core feature of anxiety-related disorders that is inadequately addressed by current treatment approaches. Localizing autonomic
arousal to a specific brain circuit could inform the development of new treatments.
Here, Dr. Webler presents causal circuit mapping findings showing that focal brain stimulation sites that rapidly modify autonomic arousal map to a convergent brain circuit across stimulation modalities (TMS, DBS, LIFU). In additional independent datasets, modulation of this circuit predicts sustained changes in anxiety-related autonomic hyperactivation. These findings: (1) implicate the autonomic arousal circuit as a potential brain stimulation target for autonomic hyperactivation, and (2) suggest that rapid autonomic arousal changes could potentially serve as a biomarker of sustained autonomic arousal changes.
Key learning objectives include:

Describe how autonomic hyperactivation to anxiogenic stimuli contributes to clinical anxiety, and why it is inadequately addressed by current treatments.
Explain how focal brain stimulation (e.g., TMS, DBS, LIFU) can rapidly modulate autonomic outflow, and how this outflow maps onto a convergent brain circuit for sympathetic arousal.
Evaluate the evidence that the autonomic arousal circuit predicts sustained changes in anxious arousal and identify its potential as a therapeutic target.

One CME credit is available. CE Language
Take advantage of our live Q&A session at the conclusion of the webinar.
*Registered attendees will receive access to the on-demand video recording by Friday, August 7, 2026. You will receive an email notification with instructions on accessing the video. You may register for the on-demand webinar any time after the live webinar.
When:
USA - August 4, 2026 at 8:00pm ET | 5:00pm PT
UK- August 5, 2026 at 1:00am BST
Australia- August 5, 2026 at 10:00am AEST
Cost:
Member: $25
Trainee Member: FREE
Non-Member: $50
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About the Speaker

Ryan Webler, MD
Dr. Ryan Webler is a postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard Medical School where he uses causal circuit mapping to develop better brain stimulation treatments for anxiety-related disorders. Complementing his research agenda, he is also a postdoctoral clinical fellow at Boston Precision Neurotherapeutics where he implements evidence-based psychotherapeutic protocols to bolster TMS gains.

Pain Academy San Diego
2026-10-15

PULSES Providence
2026-10-23 - 2026-10-25
Course Overview
This in-depth training course offers a Certificate of Completion and features lectures and over 3 hours of hands-on training delivered by Clinical TMS Society renowned clinicians, engineers, and researchers, along with special guests. Attendees will receive current, historical, and practical knowledge for treating patients with TMS based on the best available evidence.
The Program Includes:

A review of the clinical studies that serve as the foundation for treatment of TMS for depression, as well as clinically applicable research and current important studies.
Four lectures on the practical administration of TMS for patients, including practice setup to patient dosing, scheduling, and management.
A review of protocols for TMS: high frequency, theta-burst, low frequency, bilateral, alternative brain targets, rescue treatment, and maintenance treatment.
A revised lecture on TMS risks and their prevention and management, including seizure protocol review.
Hands-on training on coil location placement & motor threshold determination with multiple TMS devices.
A review of promising indications beyond depression, including, obsessive compulsive disorder, smoking cessation, migraine, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and pain.
An extended Q&A Panel with all PULSES faculty and special guests.

Register
