Veteran Stress and Learning Study (VSL)

VA Office of Research and Development

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 4

Conditions: Stress Disorders, Posttraumatic

Treatments: Drug: Hydrocortisone; Drug: Placebo; Drug: D-Cycloserine

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT00674570

H841-31915-01A (Other Identifier)

CDA-2-037-07F

Details and patient eligibility

About

This is a research study examining the use of two medications, Hydrocortisone and D-Cycloserine, compared to an inactive substance (placebo), on their ability to reduce fear responses and memory of fear in Veterans with symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These responses will be tested using a fear learning and memory task administered by computer.

Enrollment: 111 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Veterans and civilians with an age range of 18 to 65 years
• Participants must be physically healthy volunteers

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals who fall outside the age range
• Individuals with medical conditions that would interfere with participation
• Other criteria

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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111 participants in 3 patient groups, including a placebo group

Arm 1: Hydrocortisone

Experimental group

Description:

Hydrocortisone

Treatment:

Drug: Hydrocortisone

Arm 2: D-Cycloserine

Experimental group

Description:

D-Cycloserine

Treatment:

Drug: D-Cycloserine

Arm 3: Placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Placebo

Treatment:

Drug: Placebo