Impact of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on PTSD-CVD Link

Inclusion Criteria: * age 18-65 years (upper limit chosen to optimize changes in brain activation that diminish with age); * criterion A trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms (clinically significant symptoms in at least two symptom clusters); * subclinical atherosclerotic CVD (e.g., coronary, cerebrovascular, or peripheral arterial plaque or calcifications on imaging), clinical atherosclerotic CVD (e.g., myocardial infarction or revascularization), or increased risk for atherosclerotic CVD (i.e., \>2 of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and active smoking) ability to understand and sign informed consent * fluent English speaker. Exclusion Criteria: * history of stroke, brain surgery, seizure * use of certain CVD medications (e.g., beta-blockers, high-intensity statins \[e.g., rosuvastatin 20/40 mg and atorvastatin 40/80 mg\], PCSK-9 inhibitors); * psychiatric or cardiovascular medication change within 4 weeks (i.e., stable regimen is allowed); * currently in PTSD therapy; * neurological or systemic inflammatory disease/current anti-inflammatory therapy; * moderate/severe alcohol/substance use disorder; * current mania/psychosis; * weight \>300 lbs., claustrophobia, pregnancy, metal implants that are incompatible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or uncontrolled hyperglycemia (for imaging); * significant radiation exposure (\>2 nuclear tests, computed tomography images, or fluoroscopic procedures) for research purposes during the preceding 12-months.