Post-traumatic stress disorder affects roughly 6% of U.S. adults at some point in their lives, with symptoms including intrusive memories, avoidance, negative mood changes, and heightened arousal. Current treatments center on trauma-focused psychotherapy and medications like SSRIs, though many people don't respond fully to either approach.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing MDMA-assisted therapy, which received FDA approval in 2024 as the first new PTSD treatment in decades. Researchers are also studying psychedelics like psilocybin, stellate ganglion blocks that target the nervous system, novel drug targets including kappa opioid receptor antagonists, and ways to prevent PTSD in the immediate aftermath of trauma.
MDMA-assisted therapy
MDMA combined with psychotherapy sessions became FDA-approved in 2024 after trials showed sustained symptom reduction. The approach appears to help people process traumatic memories with less fear and avoidance.
Psychedelic therapy
Psilocybin and other psychedelics are being studied alongside therapy for PTSD, following patterns established in depression research. Early results suggest they may help reshape how traumatic memories are stored.
Early intervention
Studies are testing whether immediate treatment after trauma exposure can prevent PTSD from developing. Approaches include brief cognitive interventions, medications, and nerve blocks administered within days of trauma.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on PTSD severity scores, time since trauma, prior treatment history, and exclusion of conditions that interact with study drugs or therapy approaches.
What types of trials are currently open
- Psychedelic therapy trials — Testing MDMA, psilocybin, or other psychedelics combined with structured therapy sessions. These trials closely monitor participants through preparation, dosing sessions, and integration.
- Medication trials — Testing new drugs that work differently than SSRIs, including drugs targeting memory consolidation, inflammation, or specific brain receptors.
- Device and procedure trials — Testing approaches like stellate ganglion blocks, vagus nerve stimulation, or transcranial magnetic stimulation to reset nervous system responses.
- Prevention trials — Testing early interventions in people recently exposed to trauma, aiming to prevent PTSD before symptoms become chronic.
- Therapy trials — Testing new forms of psychotherapy or modifications to existing trauma-focused approaches, often comparing them to standard treatments.
Recently added PTSD trials
Exposure by Assessment: Effects of Daily AMQ-Based EMA of an Intrusive Trauma Memory in PTSD
Intrusive re-experiencing is a hallmak of PTSD. We apply ecological momentary assessment (EMA) of participant's trauma memory (active group) vs. EMA of a neutral memory (control group) to test whether the active intervention can reduce intrucive severity in PTSD and PTSD severity in general.
Hybrid Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Veterans to Further Reduce Emotion Regulation Problems and Trauma Symptoms
Around 10% of post-active veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) many years post-mission. PTSD in veterans is frequently associated with challenges in emotion regulation, aggression, suicidality, and financial and psychosocial stress. In 2018, a 12-week clinical treatment programme, the Veterans Intensive Treatment Unit (VIBU), was developed for veterans experiencing these psychiatric symptoms, for whom conventional treatments had proven ineffective. The VIBU provides patients with trauma-focused and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). A recent study revealed that the VIBU was effective in reducing psychiatric symptoms. However, a recurrence of symptoms was observed in patients a few months after discharge. Consequently, an aftercare programme consisting of hybrid DBT is offered to consolidate and repeat the DBT skills and apply them in daily life.
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