Biological Markers for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Shamir Medical Center (Assaf-Harofeh)

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Treatments: Diagnostic Test: Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 items; Diagnostic Test: The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire; Diagnostic Test: A diary will be used for seven consecutive nights; Diagnostic Test: MRI; Diagnostic Test: CAPS questionnaire; Diagnostic Test: Traumatic Events Questionnaire; Diagnostic Test: Clinician Administered Dissociative States Scale; Diagnostic Test: Functional brain imaging; Diagnostic Test: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; Diagnostic Test: EEG analysis; Diagnostic Test: Autonomic nervous system monitors; Diagnostic Test: Beck Depression Inventory

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05213858

178-21

Details and patient eligibility

About

The current study aims to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a combination of various objective biomarkers for the diagnosis of PTSD.

Full description

PTSD affects a major fraction of military combatants and is also very common in the general population. Like other psychiatric conditions, the diagnosis of PTSD is currently based on an interview and questionnaires. However, the validity of these tools is limited since it depends on the evaluator's skills, and on patient compliance and mental status; and may be prone to exaggeration or minimization of symptoms. This prompts an urgent need for evaluation that will combine biomarkers for objective diagnosis, and follow up of individuals with PTSD.

Knowledge has grown in recent years regarding the biologic pathophysiological cascade responsible for the development of a "non-healing wound in the brain" that characterizes PTSD. Shortly after the traumatic experience, fundamental changes in autonomic nervous and endocrine activity are evident, together with changes in brain function; these can become chronic in those with long-standing unremitting PTSD. Several studies indicate good correlations of the diagnosis and severity of PTSD, with objective biological measures such as heart rate variability (HRV), brain connectivity and endocrine activity. However, the currently available data on these biological variables are still not sufficient to be used for diagnosis of PTSD.

The aim of the current study is to characterize the biological fingerprint of PTSD, by using a combination of biological measures, for an objective diagnosis.

Enrollment: 300 estimated patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 20 to 60 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. The willingness and ability to read, understand and sign an informed consent form.
2. Age 20-60 years.
3. A history of more than 2 years of combat service, and of at least one potentially life-threatening combat experience.
4. One year or more after the last combat experience.

Exclusion criteria

1. Inability to attend scheduled clinic visits or comply with the study protocol
2. A history of traumatic brain injury or any other known brain pathology.
3. Substance use, except for prescribed cannabis, if it can be withheld for at least 24 hours prior to the study evaluation.
4. A current psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.
5. The inability to perform an awake brain MRI.