Effects of Stimulant Medications in PTSD (NCT07664631) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingPhase 1
Effects of Stimulant Medications in PTSD
United States40 participantsStarted 2026-09-15
Plain-language summary
While there have been advances in understanding post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a disorder and its biological features, unfortunately only one out of five traumatized persons with PTSD reach remission after cycling through evidence-based and/or FDA-approved medications. This is especially unfortunate given that people with PTSD are often from vulnerable populations, or those whose professions entail personal sacrifice. It is clear that new serotonergic antidepressants and atypical antipsychotics will not be sufficient to fix this gap, and new mechanisms of action need to be tested. In the current proposal, the investigators test the hypothesis that mixed amphetamine salts (brand name Adderall), FDA-approved for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can improve PTSD outcomes.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age 18 - 65 years old
* BMI 19-30 kg/m2
* English fluency
Exclusion Criteria:
* Individuals with current moderate or severe substance use disorder, no past stimulant or cocaine use disorder
* Individuals with current acute or high risk of suicide or suicide attempt in past 6 months
* Individuals with current psychotic or bipolar disorder
* Individuals with past schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, psychotic bipolar disorder, stimulant or cocaine use disorder
* Individuals with chronic (non-PRN) treatment with antipsychotic drug (except PRN quetiapine 25mg PO qHS) or D2 antagonist
* Individuals with medications with significant PD or PK interactions
* Individuals with current treatment with a stimulant medication
* Individuals with court or legally mandated treatment
* Individuals with unstable or untreated medical disorder that would increase the risk of serious side effects of study drug (unstable hypertension, tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmia, recent MI or stroke, clinically significant neuropsychiatric or neurological disorder)
* Members of a vulnerable population
* High blood pressure (\>140/90)
* Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Quality of Social Interaction Ratings using the Conversation Questionnaire
Timeframe: Completed 4 hours post-drug administration during both sessions (drug, placebo)
2
Quality of Social Interaction Ratings using connection during conversation scale
Timeframe: Completed 4 hours post-drug administration during both sessions (drug, placebo)