Anesthesia-Induced Dreaming for PTSD
(IDEA_PTSD Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byBoris D Heifets, MD, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Stanford University

No Placebo Group

Prior Safety Data

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this study is to test the efficacy of anesthesia-induced dreaming for PTSD in a double-blind, randomized controlled trial in a non-surgical setting (Phase II). The investigators predict that inducing and sustaining a dream state prior to emergence from anesthesia will result in reduced symptoms of PTSD. Half of the participants will be randomly allocated to a Dream Group, while the other half will be in the No-Dream group.

Research Team

Boris D Heifets, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

Stanford University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Participants should be healthy enough to undergo anesthesia. Specific details about inclusion and exclusion criteria are not provided, but typically these would outline who can or cannot participate based on health conditions, medications, or other factors.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with PTSD by a professional.

Body mass index between 17-32 kg/m2

I am not able to have children or I am using reliable birth control.

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Exclusion Criteria

Total CAPS-5 score ≤20 at screening

Current diagnosis of Axis I disorders other than specified, unless comorbid and clinically unstable, and/or the focus of treatment for the past six months or more

History of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or eating disorder within five years of screening

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Treatment Details

Interventions

Propofol anesthesia (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial OverviewThe study is testing if using Propofol anesthesia to induce dreams can help reduce PTSD symptoms. It's a Phase II trial where participants are split into two groups: one experiences induced dreaming ('Dream Group'), while the other does not ('No-Dream group'). The allocation is random and both participants and researchers do not know who is in which group (double-blind).

Participant Groups

2Treatment groups

Active Control

Placebo Group

Group I: Dream GroupActive Control1 Intervention

Dream Group (n=21) will be subjected to an anesthetic protocol resulting in dream experiences during anesthesia.

Group II: No-Dream GroupPlacebo Group1 Intervention

No-Dream Group (n=21) will be subjected to an anesthetic protocol resulting in no dream experiences during anesthesia.