Topiramate Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorders in Veterans With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):...
PTSDAlcohol Abuse1 moreThe proposed project aims to: Obtain a preliminary assessment of the efficacy of topiramate treatment in reducing alcohol use in veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and alcohol dependence; Obtain preliminary assessments of safety/tolerability of topiramate in these patients; Assess the feasibility of recruitment and retention for topiramate treatment in this comorbid population; and 4) to inform the design of a planned subsequent larger controlled trial of topiramate. PRIMARY HYPOTHESIS: Topiramate treatment combined with Medical Management alcohol counseling will be associated with a significant decrease in percent drinking days from baseline to end of treatment. SECONDARY HYPOTHESIS: There will be significantly less percent drinking days in the topiramate treatment group compared to the placebo group.
Neural Markers and Rehabilitation of Executive Functioning in Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury...
Traumatic Brain InjuryPosttraumatic Stress DisorderUp to half of all military service members with combat-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) also suffer from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). TBI and PTSD are each associated with cognitive problems in what are called 'executive functions' such as planning actions, inhibiting behavior, monitoring one's own thoughts and feelings, and solving problems day-to-day. These types of impairments occur more often among veterans with both TBI and PTSD than among those with only one of these conditions. The combination of TBI and PTSD in veterans has also been linked to problems with anger and violence, which are common complaints of veterans seeking mental health services post-deployment and have been shown to predict poor treatment outcomes in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Although the relationship between combined TBI/PTSD diagnoses and post-deployment adjustment problems has been demonstrated, there has been little research into clinical interventions designed to reduce the severity of cognitive and affective symptoms in veterans with both TBI and PTSD. Therefore, the investigators propose a randomized clinical trial involving a cognitive rehabilitation intervention that targets improved executive functioning, with the participation of N=100 veterans diagnosed with both TBI and PTSD (n=50 in experimental group and n=50 comparison). As part of the study, all participants will receive an iPod touch. Participants will be placed into one of the two study groups randomly. Based on which group participants are placed in, they will receive one of two different sets of iPod touch apps and programs that address and aim to improve different facets of cognitive functioning. Regardless of which group, Veterans will be instructed to daily practice iPod touch applications on cognitive functioning. Also, family members will be trained as "mentors" to reinforce use of the applications in everyday living environments. Trained facilitators will also travel to participants' homes to meet with veterans and family to observe behaviors in the home environment, arrive at strategies for applying new skills in their situations, troubleshoot any iPod technical problems, and review family mentoring processes. The investigators will measure clinical outcomes using a comprehensive array of functional and structural methods at baseline and six months. The investigators hypothesize improved executive function among those in the experimental group as well as reduced irritability/impulsivity and improved social/occupational functioning. The investigators further hypothesize that, as a group, veterans participating in the cognitive rehabilitation program will show significant changes in neural activity associated with executive functions when comparing pre- and post-treatment EEG and fMRI responses. Better understanding of the neural circuitry and neurocognitive function underlying executive function and associated affective control deficits in veterans with both TBI and PTSD, and how they relate to treatment outcome, will allow us to better identify therapeutic targets for cognitive rehabilitation. The current proposal aims to explore the relationship between brain function and connectivity in selective pathways/circuits, neuropsychological functioning, and cognitive rehabilitation response in veterans with both TBI and PTSD. This study of the neurobiology and neuropsychology associated with intervention efficacy will allow us to identify veterans with both TBI and PTSD who are predisposed to positive treatment outcomes. To our knowledge, this will be the first attempt to integrate neurobiological and neurocognitive techniques with information about the efficacy of a theoretically and empirically driven cognitive rehabilitation intervention in veterans with combined TBI/PTSD diagnoses. This research may suggest additional avenues for assessment of clinical intervention efficacy and the identification of therapeutic targets (e.g. alteration of function in fronto-limbic circuits) relevant to the military population. Given links between TBI/PTSD, executive dysfunction, and anger, impulsivity, and aggression, efforts to rehabilitate cognitive function will be particularly important to ensure that current and future veterans adjust successfully when they return home to their families, workplaces, and communities.
Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Substance...
Stress DisorderPost-Traumatic1 moreThe purpose of this study is to assess the safety and practicality, feasibility and efficacy of ICBT for co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders within the OEF/OIF/OND Veterans population, as delivered by routine clinicians at the Veterans Affairs.
Relationship Between the Biological and Psychological Correlates of PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderThis study will determine the effectiveness of immediate treatment with prolonged exposure therapy (PE) versus delaying treatment with PE in altering neuroendocrine-related symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in women.
The Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model for Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Women
Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderMental Disorders1 moreThis study will determine the effectiveness of the Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model in reducing the severity of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in women with mental disorders and who have experienced sexual or physical abuse.
Safety & Efficacy Study Using Topiramate in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Posttraumatic Stress DisorderThe purpose of this study was to determine if Topiramate was safe and effective for use in civilian subjects with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Cognitive Processing Therapy Versus Its Individual Components in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic...
Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderThis study will evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive processing therapy versus its individual components in treating women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression brought on by sexual assault.
D-serine for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment
Posttraumatic Stress DisorderThe aim of this study is to asses the effects of the NMDA receptor full agonist D-serine while used as adjuvant treatment for individuals suffering from chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Dysfunction of neurotransmission mediated at NMDA receptor plays a cardinal role in the pathophysiology of PTSD and PTSD patients typically suffer from cognitive dysfunctions and avoidance& depressive symptomatology that may be mediated by NMDA receptor function deficits. Thus, enhancement of NMDA activity by using D-serine may be beneficial in the treatment of PTSD. The study design involves two 6 week periods during which the participants will be randomly assigned to receive treatment with D-serine (~2g /dy)and placebo. This design allows each participant the opportunity to respond to the experimental treatment.
Integrated Treatment for Chronic Pain and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PainPosttraumatic Stress DisorderThe purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of an integrated treatment for Veterans with comorbid chronic pain and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is hypothesized that Veterans who receive the integrated treatment will report more positive outcomes than individuals who are assigned to treatment as usual, pain treatment, or PTSD treatment.
Comparison of Two Treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderThis study will compare the short- and long-term effectiveness of two different treatments for people with post-traumatic stress disorder.