About this trial
PTSD affects approximately 22% of Veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Symptoms of PTSD may include re-experiencing, avoidance of trauma reminders, negative thoughts or feelings, and hyperarousal, such as increased startle reactivity and disturbed sleep. Treatments for PTSD are based on fear extinction principles in which individuals are repeatedly exposed a feared cue in the absence of danger, resulting in diminishing physiological reactions, a process believed to underlie recovery from PTSD. Studies suggest that orexin, a wake-promoting neuropeptide, may enhance fear extinction. This study will examine whether suvorexant, a selective orexin-receptor antagonist, will enhance fear extinction in Veterans with PTSD and insomnia. Finding a role for orexins in fear extinction will support the rationale for its further evaluation in the treatment of PTSD. Suvorexant is an accessible, safe medication that has been well-established in treating insomnia. It has outstanding promise for treating common and distressing symptoms in Veterans with PTSD.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
men and women
a history of US military service
capable of reading and understanding English
able to provide written informed consent
Disqualifiers
Moderate or severe DSM-5 alcohol or cannabis use disorder in the last 3 months
Mild alcohol use disorder with abstinence of 30 days will be allowed
Mild marijuana use disorder will be allowed with abstinence for one week prior to participation
Any other DSM-5 drug use disorder in the last 3 months will be excluded
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Suvorexant
- Placebo
Treatment groups
Locations
2Sponsors and collaborators
VA Office of Research and Development
Lead sponsor