Targeting Cognition in PTSD: Pregnenolone Augmentation of SSRIs
Stress DisordersPost-TraumaticThis study will test the therapeutic potential of augmenting a stable SSRI regimen with the neurosteroid pregnenolone to reduce cognitive symptoms and PTSD symptoms in patients diagnosed with PTSD.
Vortioxetine for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can result from having experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Patients with PTSD symptoms can sometimes experience symptom relief after treatment with antidepressants; however, few patients experience complete symptom relief. There is a need to develop new treatments for PTSD. This study will evaluate if 12 weeks of using Vortioxetine relieves PTSD symptoms. Vortioxetine has been approved for the treatment of depression; however, Vortioxetine has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of PTSD.
Zonisamide in Addition to E-CPT-C for Veterans With PTSD and Comorbid Alcohol Dependence
Alcohol DependencePost-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)This is a randomized, controlled trial with 50 veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comorbid alcohol dependence. Veterans will be randomized to receive either zonisamide (400 mg) or placebo for 12 weeks in a double blind fashion. Randomization will be done using 3:1 ratio and will be performed by our research pharmacy using a random assignment in blocks of 4- 3 will be assigned to active medication and 1 to placebo. Medication will be titrated over a 6 week titration phase followed by a 6 week treatment phase. All veterans will receive E-CPT-C therapy for the 12 weeks of treatment; E-CPT-C will be provided by trained and qualified clinicians with extensive experience providing E-CPT-C. Veterans will be recruited primarily through advertisement, but also through the clinical facilities at the VA and from other collaborators.
Genomics of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans
PTSDPosttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as a common and serious mental health condition, affects about 25% of all military personnel that have served in combat. People suffering from PTSD may experience traumatic flashbacks, trouble sleeping, and problems in their relationships. This study is intended to help identify genes that influence and increase the risk of PTSD, to improve ways of detecting and treating the condition in the future. Previous research has studied genes that increase the risk of PTSD, but none of these have included a Veteran-only population. The current study focuses on US Veterans, utilizing the VA Million Veteran Program (MVP) database of approximately 300,000 participants as of August 2014. In this context, participants with PTSD are referred to as "cases" and Veterans without PTSD are referred to as "controls." This project will be done in three stages. The first stage will look at MVP-obtained data and electronic health record (EHR) data to implement methods for identifying combat-exposed case patients with PTSD and combat-exposed control patients without PTSD. The second stage will assemble and validate a study population of 20,000 participants "including 10,000 combat-exposed Veterans with PTSD as cases and 10,000 combat-exposed Veterans without PTSD as controls. The third stage will conduct genetic analyses ("genotyping") comparing the cases to controls, to identify genes associated with increased risk of developing the condition.
Mindfulness Meditation Format Pilot Study
Posttraumatic Stress DisorderDepressionThe purpose of this study is to assess feasibility of an internet and individual format of mindfulness meditation in people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms
Mind-Body Skills Groups for the Treatment of War-Related Trauma in Adults in Gaza
Posttraumatic Stress DisorderThe objective of this study is to determine whether participation in a mind-body skills program by war-traumatized adults in Gaza will result in improvement of posttraumatic stress symptoms and depression, and will increase posttraumatic growth compared to a control group.
Mind-Body Skills Groups for the Treatment of War-Related Trauma in Children in Gaza
Posttraumatic Stress DisorderThe objective of this study is to determine whether participation in a mind-body skills program by war-traumatized children in Gaza will result in improvement of posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression, and decreased hopelessness compared to a control group.
Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy for PTSD - a Randomized Controlled Trial
Chronic Posttraumatic Stress DisorderParticipants are randomly assigned to either 16 sessions of Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy (Gersons et al. (2000) Journal Trauma Stress 13: 333-348), comprising psychoeducation, exposure, mementos and writing assignments, domain of meaning and integration, farewell ritual, or a minimal attention control group that will be offered 16 sessions of BEP after a waiting time of four months. Participants in the minimal attention control group receive monthly telephone calls and complete a symptom self monitoring diary (Tarrier, N. et al. (1999) Behavior Therapy 30: 597-605) for three weeks.
Acupuncture for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Stress DisordersPost-TraumaticThe purpose of this study is to evaluate acupuncture as a treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and to correlate the diagnosis of PTSD with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnostic patterns.
Nabilone in Cannabis Users With PTSD
CannabisPost Traumatic Stress DisorderDespite the prevalence of cannabis use among the PTSD population and self-reports that it is used to help cope with PTSD symptoms, the direct effects of cannabis on PTSD symptomology are unknown. The purpose of this placebo-controlled, within-subject study is to assess the effects of smoked cannabis and orally administered nabilone, a synthetic analog of THC, the primary psychoactive component of cannabis on multiple dimensions of PTSD symptomatology in cannabis smokers with PTSD.