Trial of Hydrocortisone for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Status:
Withdrawn
Trial end date:
2011-09-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Developing novel and effective pharmacologic interventions for this post-traumatic stress
disorder is important. The investigators propose to replicate findings of an earlier
published pilot study using low dose hydrocortisone as a treatment for PTSD. In order to do
so in a more meaningful way, the investigators will conduct a larger but similar randomized
double-blind placebo-controlled, cross-over design treatment study examining the use of low
dose hydrocortisone (or placebo) for 4 weeks in combat veterans suffering from PTSD.
The investigators hypothesize that, as described by Aerni et al. (2004), administration of
daily hydrocortisone will lead to a reduction in PTSD symptom severity, but particularly for
re-experiencing types (e.g., flashbacks, nightmares)of symptoms. The investigators also hope
to examine potential predictors and moderators of treatment response based on subjects'
clinical characteristics, as well as serum cortisol and ACTH levels.