Extinction of Fear Memories With Glucocorticoids in Veterans With PTSD

Completed · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

In brief

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of glucocorticoid administration following traumatic memory reactivation on psychiatric symptoms in veterans with combat-related PTSD, in addition to examining the effects of glucocorticoid administration following traumatic memory reactivation on physiological responses to veteran's personal combat memories. The following hypotheses will be tested: 1. Subjects who receive an exogenous glucocorticoid after traumatic memory reactivation will demonstrate fewer PTSD and depression symptoms one week later, compared to those who receive a placebo after traumatic memory reactivation. 2. The glucocorticoid reduction effects will be cumulative; that is, reduction will persist, and further post-reactivation glucocorticoid administration will further reduce symptoms 3. Decreases in PTSD and depression symptoms will persist at 1, 3, and 6 months for subjects receiving an exogenous glucocorticoid compared to those subjects receiving placebo 4. Subjects who receive an exogenous glucocorticoid after traumatic memory reactivation will demonstrate decreased physiological responses one week later, compared to those who receive a placebo after traumatic memory reactivation. 5. As with the psychological measures, suppression of the physiological measures will demonstrate both persistence over time and accumulation with subsequent post-reactivation glucocorticoid administration.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT01090180

Run by

VA Office of Research and Development

People needed

129

Starts

2010-04-01

Expected to finish

2013-09-01

Last updated by the study team

2016-11-25

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: male. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• male veterans enrolled to receive care through the VA North Texas Healthcare System
• diagnosis of combat-related PTSD

You may not qualify if…

• Hypersensitivity to dexamethasone
• Current use of steroids
• Current psychosis
• Organic Brain Damage
• Current major depressive disorder with melancholic features
• Substance dependence in the last 3 months
• Prominent suicidal or homicidal features
• Medical conditions: diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, severe congestive heart failure, hepatic failure, or any other contraindicated medical condition (such as HPA Axis disease, Addison's Disease or Cushing's Disease).
• Veterans taking medication with established drug interactions with dexamethasone

Where it is running

• VA North Texas Health Care System, Dallas — Dallas, Texas, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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