Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Clinical Studies

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder And Clinical Trials

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that commonly happens as a result of life-threatening events, including exposure to violent crime and abuse, military combat, terrorist attacks, natural disasters or serious accidents. Under-treated and untreated PTSD increases the risk of family problems, aggression, depression, illness, disability and suicide. In recent years, significant progress has been achieved in the treatment of PTSD; nonetheless, drug therapies for veterans with PTSD have been demonstrated to be generally unsuccessful.

Clinical Trials and New Treatments for PTSD

Unfortunately, almost one-third of PTSD patients do not respond to standard PTSD treatments. PTSD clinical trials are studies that are designed to develop better and safer treatments for those who have the condition. The investigational drug being studied will be administered at no cost, and time and travel expenses are often reimbursed. Participation in a PTSD clinical trial does not typically require health insurance.

PTSD Treatment with 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)

There is a need for a broader range of effective PTSD therapies. New clinical studies, such as psychotherapy aided by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), might be a viable therapeutic drug option for PTSD. MDMA alters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine levels in the brain. It has various psychopharmacological effects, including decreased fear, enhanced happiness, improved sociability and extroversion, increased interpersonal trust, and an attentive state of awareness.

PTSD Treatment with Oxytocin

Based on the clinical research findings, oxytocin appears to be a potential contender for achieving success. For example, oxytocin has been shown to boost attitudes linked with effective psychosocial treatment outcomes (e.g., trust, safety, and social cognition) in animal and human stress subjects. Moreover, new neuroimaging clinical studies reveal that oxytocin can help with faulty brain circuitry, a key factor in the development and continuation of PTSD.

Current Treatments of PTSD

Currently, there are three main therapies used for PTSD. They include:

1. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is a treatment that tries to change how you think and act to help you handle challenges. To help you come to terms with the traumatic incident, trauma-focused CBT employs various psychological strategies.

2. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is a psychiatric treatment approach that has been shown to help people with PTSD symptoms. It includes reliving the horrific event in depth while moving your eyes, generally in response to your therapist's finger movement.

3. Medications

Patients with PTSD experience threats differently; the balance of chemicals called neurotransmitters are imbalanced.

Medications might help you avoid thinking about and responding to what happened, including nightmares and flashbacks. Several medicines can alter the chemical in your brain that causes fear and anxiety. SSRIs and SNRIs, which impact the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, are typically the first drugs prescribed by doctors. Some include:

• Fluoxetine
• Paroxetine
• Sertraline
• Venlafaxine

However, sertraline and paroxetine are the only FDA-approved drugs for PTSD.

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