Research Center: VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus
Location: 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130, United States
Lead Doctor: Suzanne Pineles, Ph.D.
IRB Committee: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board at VA Boston Healthcare System

Background

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop following a traumatic event. A person suffering from PTSD may experience unwanted and intrusive memories of the trauma, nightmares, and anxiety. Antidepressants such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are currently a recommended treatment for PTSD. However, to date, there has not been a screening test to determine who will benefit from SSRIs and who will not.

This research study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief screening method that may predict who with PTSD is mostly likely to respond positively to SSRI medications. The study involves a few tests measuring the electrical brain activity towards a series of loud sounds.

Interested participants must be diagnosed with PTSD. They should be interested in trying out SSRIs as a potential option to treat PTSD. Participants must attend 12 study appointments over a period of about 4 months. Five of the study appointments will include in-person and remote portions, and the remaining 7 sessions will be completely remote for a total of 12 study sessions.

Why Participate? 

• You may be helping others with PTSD in the future.
• You may help researchers determine the effectiveness of a method that can predict who responds positively to a potential PTSD medication.
• You will be compensated up to $560 for participating in this study.
• You will contribute to advancing psychiatric research.

Your Rights

• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you may withdraw at any time.
• Your records relating to this study and any other information received will be kept strictly confidential, except by law.
• Qualified health professionals will monitor your health as it relates to the study.

Who Can Participate?

• Men and women aged 18 to 70 years old who are diagnosed with PTSD.
• Interested in trying out SSRIs as a potential option to treat PTSD.
• Able to attend 12 study appointments over a period of about 4 months-7 of these appointments are conducted fully remotely and 5 of these appointments have in-person tasks.
  Please note:
  A study appointment may take about either 45 minutes (minimum) up to 4 hours (maximum) to complete.
• This study will have 5 study appointments that include both in-person and remote components. The other 7 appointments will be completely remote sessions. 
• Participants will need to be able to access the internet and have an internet and video capable device (i.e., smartphone, tablet, laptop).
• Participants will need to have access to a private location to complete the remote study visits/ study activities.

Please note:

Due to the current situation with COVID-19 pandemic, the study team would like to point out the following:

• The research site’s waiting area is spacious enough that participants will not be within close proximity to each other.
• Hand sanitizers are available at the research site.
• The research staff adheres to strict hygienic practices as well as other safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 
• Any staff suspected to have COVID-19, or has come into contact with someone who has COVID-19, will automatically undergo a voluntary quarantine for 14 days.
• Interested participants will not be left waiting for a long period of time and will be quickly attended to. 
• Parking is available at the research site.
• The research site/institution is taking all precautionary measures to ensure the safety of the study participants. 
• The majority of the appointments will take place remotely, only 5 study appointments will be held in-person at the research site.