Extinction of Fear Memories With Glucocorticoids in Veterans With PTSD
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2013-09-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
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.