Functional Brain Imaging in PTSD

Completed

Conditions studied: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Trauma

In brief

Patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have abnormalities in the function of the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex (particularly anterior cingulate), in addition to abnormalities of hippocampal volume. In this pilot study we propose to use the combined positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance (PET/MR) scanner and F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG, an analog of glucose, the most commonly used PET ligand) to examine brain function and directly correlate the data with the intrinsic functional connectivity of brain circuits that are responsible for social, emotional and cognitive processing in both individuals with PTSD and group-matched trauma controls (TC) and healthy controls (HC). Once the machine is validated, we will then use a more specific biomarker to better understand the neurochemical factors that contribute to individual differences in PTSD. Thus, the data obtained from this pilot study will guide our future molecular imaging studies. The link between general brain function, specific molecular target and the intrinsic functional connectivity of brain circuits that are responsible for social, emotional and cognitive processing in PTSD, TC and HC will be explored.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT02053532

Run by

NYU Langone Health

People needed

50

Starts

2013-05-01

Expected to finish

2016-02-01

Last updated by the study team

2016-03-03

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age 18-55 years old
• Currently diagnosed with PTSD and symptomatic with a Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) score > 50

You may not qualify if…

• any primary Axis I disorder other than PTSD (e.g. psychosis)
• medical or neurological illnesses likely to affect physiology or anatomy, i.e. uncontrolled hypertension, cardiovascular disorders
• a history of drug (including benzodiazepines (BZD)) dependence (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) IV criteria) within 1 year of the study and lasting longer than 2 years, except for alcohol dependence
• current pregnancy (as documented by pregnancy testing at screening or on the day of PET imaging study)
• current breast feeding
• nicotine dependence
• suicidal ideation or behavior
• general magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exclusion criteria, i.e. pacemakers, metals in the body;
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (due to possible neuropsychiatric effects)
• Hepatitis B or C (due to possible neuropsychiatric effects)
• use of opioid medications within 2 weeks of the positron emission tomography (PET) study
• having an abnormality in the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) that, in the opinion of the investigator, increases the risks associated with participation in the study
• seriously claustrophobic
• blood donation within 8 weeks prior to the study
• positive alcohol breathalyzer test
• Abnormal thyroid test indicated by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) < .15 mlU/L and/or thyroxine (T4) > 18 mcg/dL
• Glucose > 200 mg/dL on two separate days
• For Healthy Subjects
• Inclusion criteria:
• Age 18-55 years old
• No personal or first-degree family history of any Axis I diagnosis
• Exclusion criteria:
• . any history or current primary Axis I disorder ;
• . medical or neurological illnesses likely to affect physiology or anatomy, i.e. uncontrolled hypertension, cardiovascular disorders;
• . a history of drug (including benzodiazepines [BZD]) dependence (DSM IV criteria) within 1 year of the study and lasting longer than 2 years, except for alcohol dependence;

Where it is running

• NYU School of Medicine — New York, New York, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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