Brain Structure and Function Before and After Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
About this trial
This is an observational trial for Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic focused on measuring fMRI, Prolonged Exposure, Brain Activation, Conditioning, Paroxetine, PTSD, Differential Fear Conditioning, Masked Faces, Amygdala, Hippocampus, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Eligibility Criteria
INCLUSION CRITERIA: Men and women aged 18-65, suffering from PTSD, healthy trauma survivors and never traumatized healthy subjects. PTSD diagnosis will be determined using the structured clinical interview for DSM IV (SCID)(155). Capable of providing informed consent, obtained prior to any study procedures. Free of all psychotropic medication for at least 2 weeks, excluding short-term hypnotics. Patients who were treated with fluoxetine will only be included after a medication free period of at least 8 weeks. Good physical health, confirmed by a complete physical exam (including normal vital signs), electrocardiogram, neurological exam, and routine laboratory tests of blood and urine. However, if patients have participated in other research studies or have had blood work through their primary MD within the last 6 months, these results will be used instead of repeating blood draws for inclusion into the study. Right handed, as determined by a handedness questionnaire. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Past head trauma involving loss of consciousness, or amnesia greater than 24 hours. This magnitude of head trauma could contribute to psychopathology and brain structure in a manner different than PTSD thereby confounding results. Substance abuse (alcohol or drugs) or dependence within 3 months prior to screening. The effect of abuse/dependence on phenomenology and biology could mask and exceed PTSD effect. All additional DSM IV Axis I comorbidity, excluding secondary diagnoses of major depressive disorder (MDD) or anxiety disorders (AD). Given the high comorbidity of these disorders in PTSD, and since excluding such patients would not provide the full spectrum of the disorder, only patients in whom axis I diagnoses of MDD and AD preceded onset of PTSD will be excluded. Mental retardation or another pervasive developmental disorder. Risk of homicide or suicide. When the trauma involves assault, a continuing intimate relationship with the perpetrator. Current or intended pregnancy. If a participant becomes pregnant during the course of the study, her data will be removed from the analyses. Subjects who are doing well on medication. Although we will only recruit non-medicated patients, the decision to stop medication will be taken purely on clinical grounds. No subject will be taken off medication solely to participate in the study. Deafness will NOT exclude patients or healthy controls from participation. Accomodations and protocol adjustments (e.g., abbreviation of neuropsychological battery to eliminate tests which would be subjected to known or expected normalization violations) will be made as necessary for this population.
Sites / Locations
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)