D-cycloserine Adjunctive Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Adolescents

PTSD Clinical Trial

Official title: D-cycloserine Adjunctive Treatment for PTSD in Adolescents

Status Active, not recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to show whether D-cycloserine in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is more effective than CBT alone to reduce symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 13-18 year-old children.

Clinical Trial Description

While most individuals with PTSD treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) show improvement, they still have some enduring symptoms and functional impairment. Accordingly, there is a need for treatment advances. D-cycloserine (DCS), an antibiotic that has been used for over 50 years, has also been found to have positive effects on cognition and anxiety. DCS was found to enhance learning and memory, and also facilitates extinction of fear reactions. However, DCS only produces an extinction effect when paired with behavioral training, not when simply given alone. Thus, the medication only needs to be given for seven doses in this research and youth do not need to take the medication long term. The research also includes a three-month follow-up. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• PTSD
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
• Stress Disorders, Traumatic

• NCT number: NCT01157429
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Tulane University School of Medicine
• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Phase: Phase 2
• Start date: June 2010
• Completion date: June 2012