Effects of Hydrocortisone and D-Cycloserine on Fear Extinction in Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Condition(s) targeted: Stress Disorders, Posttraumatic

Intervention: Hydrocortisone (Drug); D-Cycloserine (Drug); Placebo (Drug)

Phase: N/A

Status: Not yet recruiting

Sponsored by: San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center

Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s):
Sabra S Inslicht, Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Affiliation: San Francisco VA Medical Center

Overall contact:
Sabra S Inslicht, Ph.D., Phone: 415-221-4810, Ext: 3341, Email: sabra.inslicht@va.gov

This is a research study examining the use of two medications, Hydrocortisone and D-Cycloserine, compared to an inactive substance (placebo), on their ability to reduce fear responses and memory of fear in veterans with symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These responses will be tested using a fear learning and memory task administered by computer.

Official title: Effects of Hydrocortisone and D-Cycloserine on Fear Extinction in Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Study design: Basic Science, Randomized, Double Blind (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Placebo Control, Factorial Assignment

Primary outcome: Skin Conductance

Secondary outcome:

Heart Rate

Eye Blink

Minimum age: 18 Years. Maximum age: 65 Years. Gender(s): Male.

Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

- Male veterans with an age range of 18 to 65 years

- Participants must be healthy male volunteers

- Veterans must meet DSM-IV criteria for full current PTSD or subsyndromal PTSD (as

indexed by the CAPS criteria or with a CAPS score > 40 and meeting 2 of 3 of B, C, and D symptom clusters) of at least 3 months duration related to war trauma

Exclusion Criteria:

- Active suicidal intention, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, alcohol or

substance abuse or dependence within the past 3 months, bipolar disorder, or seizure disorders

- Neurological disorder, head injury (e. g., loss of consciousness greater than 10

minutes), systemic illness affecting CNS function, or medically unstable injuries

- Psychotropic medications, including antidepressants, alpha and beta adrenergic agents,

antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants, antihypertensive medication, sympathomimetic medication, steroid medication, or any other general medications that could influence psychophysiology

- Current ongoing trauma or recent trauma in the last 3 months

Sabra S Inslicht, Ph.D., Phone: 415-221-4810, Ext: 3341, Email: sabra.inslicht@va.gov

San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California 94121, United States

Starting date: July 2008
Ending date: June 2011
Last updated: May 6, 2008