Education and Training
MDMA-assisted Therapy Versus Cognitive Processing Therapy for Veterans With Severe Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
In partnership with the Veterans Affairs (VA) Palo Alto Health Care System and Stanford University, this study aims to evaluate clinical outcomes, assess implementation feasibility, and health economics of MDMA-assisted therapy in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Through a randomized comparison of MDMA-assisted therapy versus Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), a VA gold standard treatment for PTSD, the proposed study will set the stage for understanding the potential use and application of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD within the VA system.
Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.
Stanford Investigator(s):
Intervention(s):
- drug: MDMA
- behavioral: Cognitive Processing Therapy
- behavioral: MDMA-assisted Therapy
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
Participants are eligible to be included in the study only if all of the following criteria
apply:
1. Are at least 18 years at the time of signing the informed consent.
2. Are a U.S Military Veteran
3. Are receiving services from VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, VA San Francisco
Healthcare System, or VA NorCal Healthcare System
4. Are fluent in speaking and reading in English
5. Agree to have study visits audio and/or video recorded
6. Able to identify appropriate support person(s) to stay with the participant on the
evenings of the Experimental Sessions.
7. Meet DSM-5 criteria for current severe PTSD with a symptom duration of at least 6
months.
8. Have severe PTSD symptoms in the last month.
9. Body weight of at least 48 kilograms (kg).
10. Is not pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding
11. Capable of giving signed informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants are excluded from the study if any of the following criteria apply:
1. Have a history of any medical condition that could make receiving a sympathomimetic
drug harmful
2. Have current unstable medical illness
3. Have cardiac conditions, including uncontrolled hypertension, prolonged QTc interval,
and other cardiac conditions
4. Have received Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), ketamine-assisted therapy, or used
ketamine within 12 weeks of enrollment
5. Have an active alcohol or substance use disorder
6. Have current serious suicide risk
7. Unable or unwilling to stop or safely taper off prohibited medications
8. Have used Ecstasy more than 10 times within the last 10 years
9. Currently enrolled in any clinical study
10. Have a history of or current psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder type I, or severe
personality disorders
11. Lack social support, or lack a stable living situation
12. Previous participation in a MAPS-sponsored MDMA clinical trial
Ages Eligible for Study
18 Years - N/A
Genders Eligible for Study
All
Not currently accepting new patients for this trial
Contact Information
Stanford University
School of Medicine
300 Pasteur Drive
Stanford,
CA
94305
Sara Ellis
650-849-0161
Not Recruiting