Sertraline for PTSD

(SSRI Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+1 other location

Overseen by Suzanne Pineles, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase 4

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

Must be taking: SSRIs

Must not be taking: SNRIs, Antipsychotics

Disqualifiers: Bipolar, Schizophrenia, Pregnancy, others

Prior Safety Data

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This is a research study to examine the effectiveness of a brief screening method that may predict which people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression are most likely to show a positive response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications. Participants will be recruited over approximately 5.25 years, until at least 94 participants complete the 17 week study.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you have not used SSRIs or drugs affecting the serotonin system for 3 months before starting. Other psychotropic medications must be stable for 3 months before and during the study.

What data supports the effectiveness of the drug sertraline for treating PTSD?

Research shows that sertraline, a type of antidepressant, has been effective in treating PTSD in both civilian and military populations. It is well-tolerated and offers advantages over older antidepressants, making it a preferred choice for PTSD treatment. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is sertraline safe for humans?

Sertraline, also known as Zoloft, has been studied for safety in various clinical trials for PTSD, showing it is generally well-tolerated with some patients experiencing mild side effects. In one study, only 13% of participants stopped using it due to adverse effects, indicating it is relatively safe for human use. ^{1 3 5 6 7}

How does the drug sertraline differ from other treatments for PTSD?

Sertraline is unique because it is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which helps increase serotonin levels in the brain to improve mood and reduce anxiety, and it is one of the few drugs approved specifically for PTSD. It is also effective for patients with PTSD who have additional mood or anxiety disorders, making it versatile for those with multiple conditions. ^{3 4 6 7 8}

Research Team

Suzanne Pineles, PhD

Principal Investigator

VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus, Jamaica Plain, MA

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for veterans with PTSD or major depression who've experienced trauma, meet DSM-5 criteria for these conditions, and are open to trying SSRI medication. They shouldn't have a severe substance use disorder, be at immediate risk of harm to self or others, have used certain serotonin-affecting drugs recently, be pregnant, or currently in specific psychotherapies.

Inclusion Criteria

I am interested in trying an SSRI medication.

A psychiatrist agrees SSRIs are suitable for my mental health issues.

You have experienced a traumatic event that meets the criteria for PTSD according to the DSM-5.

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnancy

I do not have any severe liver, kidney, or other unstable health conditions.

I have significant issues with my nervous system.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Placebo Lead-in

Participants undergo a 2-week placebo lead-in phase to identify placebo responders

2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Placebo non-responders receive sertraline, with dose adjustments based on clinical response and tolerability

12 weeks

Bi-weekly visits (in-person) with psychiatrist check-ins

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Sertraline (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor)

Trial Overview The study tests if a brief screening can predict positive responses to SSRIs in those with PTSD or depression. Participants will either receive the SSRI sertraline or a placebo over 17 weeks to assess the effectiveness of this prediction method.

Participant Groups

Group I: Sertraline arm Active Control 3 Interventions

After the 2-week placebo lead-in phase, placebo-non responders will receive sertraline 25 mg daily for 2 weeks. Thereafter, sertraline will be increased flexibly by 25 to 50 mg per day (at a rate no higher than 50 mg per week) to achieve a total daily dose of 50 to 200 mg, based on clinical response and tolerability, with a maximum dose of 200 mg/d. Subjects unable to tolerate higher doses may be dropped back to the previous dose and remain at that dose for the remainder of the study.

Group II: Placebo only arm Placebo Group 2 Interventions

For individuals who are placebo responders during the 2 week placebo lead in phase, they will remain on placebo for the duration of the study (i.e., the 12 weeks where the placebo non-responders are taking sertraline).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,691

Recruited

3,759,000+

Dr. Grant Huang

VA Office of Research and Development

Acting Chief Research and Development Officer

PhD in Medical Psychology and Master of Public Health from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences

Dr. Erica M. Scavella

VA Office of Research and Development

Chief Medical Officer since 2022

MD from University of Massachusetts School of Medicine

Massachusetts General Hospital

Collaborator

Trials

3,066

Recruited

13,430,000+

Dr. William Curry

Massachusetts General Hospital

Chief Medical Officer

MD from Harvard Medical School

Dr. Anne Klibanski

Massachusetts General Hospital

Chief Executive Officer since 2019

MD from Harvard Medical School

Middlebury College

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

90+

Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center

Collaborator

Trials

21

Recruited

5,700+

Findings from Research

In a study of 395 PTSD patients, sertraline was found to be effective and well tolerated, significantly improving PTSD symptoms compared to placebo, regardless of whether patients had comorbid anxiety or depression.

Patients with both depression and anxiety disorders showed the highest severity of PTSD symptoms at baseline and benefited from slightly higher doses of sertraline, indicating that comorbidity may influence treatment response.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Affective and anxiety comorbidity in post-traumatic stress disorder treatment trials of sertraline. Brady, KT., Clary, CM.[2015]

In a study of 36 adults with PTSD, combining sertraline (an SSRI) with mirtazapine resulted in a significantly higher remission rate and greater improvement in depressive symptoms compared to sertraline plus placebo over 24 weeks.

Both treatment options were well-tolerated, with the combined treatment showing some increased appetite but no significant weight gain, suggesting it may be a viable option for improving symptoms in PTSD patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

COMBINED MIRTAZAPINE AND SSRI TREATMENT OF PTSD: A PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL. Schneier, FR., Campeas, R., Carcamo, J., et al.[2022]

In a study of 122 Japanese patients with PTSD treated with sertraline for an average of 10.6 months, 50% were considered responders, and 65.6% showed improvement in PTSD severity, indicating sertraline's effectiveness in this population.

The safety profile of sertraline was consistent with known data, with no serious adverse events reported, suggesting it is a safe option for treating PTSD in clinical practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dosage, effectiveness, and safety of sertraline treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder in a Japanese clinical setting: a retrospective study. Kamo, T., Maeda, M., Oe, M., et al.[2022]

In a study analyzing two 12-week placebo-controlled trials, sertraline was found to be effective in treating 15 out of 17 PTSD symptoms, particularly those related to numbing and hyperarousal.

The treatment showed a significant early effect on anger from the first week, which helped explain improvements in other PTSD symptoms over time, with notable responses observed by weeks 6 and 10.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Characterizing the effects of sertraline in post-traumatic stress disorder. Davidson, JR., Landerman, LR., Farfel, GM., et al.[2019]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study of sertraline in military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. [2019]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Review of sertraline in post-traumatic stress disorder. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Affective and anxiety comorbidity in post-traumatic stress disorder treatment trials of sertraline. [2015]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

COMBINED MIRTAZAPINE AND SSRI TREATMENT OF PTSD: A PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL. [2022]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect and safety of sertraline for treat posttraumatic stress disorder: a multicenter randomised controlled study. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sertraline treatment of children and adolescents with posttraumatic stress disorder: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. [2022]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dosage, effectiveness, and safety of sertraline treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder in a Japanese clinical setting: a retrospective study. [2022]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Characterizing the effects of sertraline in post-traumatic stress disorder. [2019]