Functional Brain Imaging in PTSD
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Hospital, Psychiatric, Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology, Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 65 |
| Updated: | 4/21/2016 |
| Start Date: | May 2013 |
| End Date: | February 2016 |
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.
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.
For Patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Inclusion criteria:
1. Age 18-55 years old
2. Currently diagnosed with PTSD and symptomatic with a Clinician-Administered PTSD
Scale (CAPS) score > 50
Exclusion criteria:
1. any primary Axis I disorder other than PTSD (e.g. psychosis)
2. medical or neurological illnesses likely to affect physiology or anatomy, i.e.
uncontrolled hypertension, cardiovascular disorders
3. 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
4. current pregnancy (as documented by pregnancy testing at screening or on the day of
PET imaging study)
5. current breast feeding
6. nicotine dependence
7. suicidal ideation or behavior
8. general magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exclusion criteria, i.e. pacemakers, metals
in the body;
9. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (due to possible neuropsychiatric effects)
10. Hepatitis B or C (due to possible neuropsychiatric effects)
11. use of opioid medications within 2 weeks of the positron emission tomography (PET)
study
12. 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
13. seriously claustrophobic
14. blood donation within 8 weeks prior to the study
15. positive alcohol breathalyzer test
16. Abnormal thyroid test indicated by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) < .15 mlU/L
and/or thyroxine (T4) > 18 mcg/dL
17. Glucose > 200 mg/dL on two separate days
For Healthy Subjects
Inclusion criteria:
1. Age 18-55 years old
2. No personal or first-degree family history of any Axis I diagnosis
Exclusion criteria:
1. . any history or current primary Axis I disorder ;
2. . medical or neurological illnesses likely to affect physiology or anatomy, i.e.
uncontrolled hypertension, cardiovascular disorders;
3. . 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;
4. . current pregnancy (as documented by pregnancy testing at screening or on the day of
PET imaging study);
5. . current breast feeding;
6. . nicotine dependence;
7. . suicidal ideation or behavior;
8. . general MRI exclusion criteria, i.e. pacemakers, metals in the body;
9. . HIV (due to possible neuropsychiatric effects);
10. . Hepatitis B or C (due to possible neuropsychiatric effects);
11. . use of opioid medications within 2 weeks of the PET study;
12. . having an abnormality in the 12-lead ECG that, in the opinion of the investigator,
increases the risks associated with participation in the study;
13. . seriously claustrophobic;
14. . blood donation within 8 weeks prior to the study;
15. . positive alcohol breathalyzer test;
16. . Abnormal thyroid test indicated by TSH < .15 mlU/L and/or T4 > 18 mcg/dL;
17. . Glucose > 200 mg/dL on two separate days;
18. . Does not have a lifetime history of trauma.
For Healthy Subjects with Trauma ("Trauma Controls")
Inclusion criteria:
1. . Age 18-55 years old;
2. . No personal or first-degree family history of any Axis I diagnosis;
3. . Has a lifetime history of trauma.
Exclusion criteria:
1. . any history or current primary Axis I disorder ;
2. . medical or neurological illnesses likely to affect physiology or anatomy, i.e.
uncontrolled hypertension, cardiovascular disorders;
3. . 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;
4. . current pregnancy (as documented by pregnancy testing at screening or on the day of
PET imaging study);
5. . current breast feeding;
6. . nicotine dependence;
7. . suicidal ideation or behavior;
8. . general MRI exclusion criteria, i.e. pacemakers, metals in the body;
9. . HIV (due to possible neuropsychiatric effects);
10. . Hepatitis B or C (due to possible neuropsychiatric effects);
11. . use of opioid medications within 2 weeks of the PET study;
12. . having an abnormality in the 12-lead ECG that, in the opinion of the investigator,
increases the risks associated with participation in the study;
13. . seriously claustrophobic;
14. . blood donation within 8 weeks prior to the study;
15. . positive alcohol breathalyzer test;
16. . Abnormal thyroid test indicated by TSH < .15 mlU/L and/or T4 > 18 mcg/dL;
17. . Glucose > 200 mg/dL on two separate days.
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