New treatment option for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Official title Pimavanserin for Insomnia in Veterans With PTSD
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05441280
What this study is testing
What is pimavanserin?
pimavanserin is an investigational medicine, being studied as a potential treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Also referred to as Nuplazid.
Plain-language explanation of the investigational treatment - it is being studied and is not an approved or proven therapy. The study team can confirm the details.
- What it's testing
- This is a preliminary randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing pimavanserin 34mg at bedtime vs. placebo for the treatment of insomnia associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Phase 2: a mid-size study of how well it works
- You might receive a placebo (an inactive treatment) instead of the study drug, decided by chance. You may not know which one you got.
A plain-language read of the study's public ClinicalTrials.gov listing. The study team confirms the details.
Who can take part
Ages 18 to 64
You may be able to join if
- Adult, male and female Veterans, aged 18-64;
- At the initial enrollment visit, meets DSM-5 standards of chronic insomnia disorder, as follows:
- Complains of dissatisfaction with nighttime sleep in the form of difficulty falling asleep (subjective sleep onset latency 30 minutes), difficulty...
- Insomnia frequency of 3 times per week
- The duration of the insomnia complaint is 3 months
You likely can't join if
- Current or a history of a primary psychotic disorder (i.e., schizophrenia, schizoaffective or bipolar disorder);
- Active suicidal or homicidal ideation requiring crisis intervention;
- Current moderate or severe alcohol or cannabis use disorder, or other illicit use disorder of any severity;
- A history of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury or other neurological illness (i.e., stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis);
- Caffeine use that is deemed excessive and is contributing to the insomnia per the opinion of the investigators (e.g., caffeinated beverages consumed...
- Tobacco use before bedtime that is contributing to the insomnia per the opinion of the investigators or that would interfere with completing an...
See the full eligibility criteria
- Adult, male and female Veterans, aged 18-64;
- At the initial enrollment visit, meets DSM-5 standards of chronic insomnia disorder, as follows:
- Complains of dissatisfaction with nighttime sleep in the form of difficulty falling asleep (subjective sleep onset latency 30 minutes), difficulty staying asleep (subjective time awake after sleep onset 30 minutes)...
- Insomnia frequency of 3 times per week
- The duration of the insomnia complaint is 3 months
- Associated with complaint of daytime impairment;
- Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) total score 15 (moderate insomnia);
- Determined to have clinically significant PTSD symptoms as per the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5); a total score of 33 is a recommended cutoff for a diagnosis of PTSD;
- Willing and able to comply with all aspects of the protocol;
- Willing to not start a concurrent behavioral or other treatment program for insomnia, PTSD, or other psychiatric disorders during the participation in the study;
- It is required that women of child-bearing potential who are sexually active agree to either refrain from sexual activity or use a method of contraception for the duration of the study (i.e., beginning 30 days prior to...
- people are permitted to remain on serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), bupropion, anticonvulsants (excluding strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers), and other...
- Current or a history of a primary psychotic disorder (i.e., schizophrenia, schizoaffective or bipolar disorder);
- Active suicidal or homicidal ideation requiring crisis intervention;
- Current moderate or severe alcohol or cannabis use disorder, or other illicit use disorder of any severity;
- A history of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury or other neurological illness (i.e., stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis);
- Caffeine use that is deemed excessive and is contributing to the insomnia per the opinion of the investigators (e.g., caffeinated beverages consumed after 18:00 3 times/week and/or that correlates with the timing of the...
- Tobacco use before bedtime that is contributing to the insomnia per the opinion of the investigators or that would interfere with completing an overnight polysomnogram;
- Previous diagnosis of periodic limb movement disorder, restless legs syndrome, circadian rhythm sleep disorder, narcolepsy, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, or other sleep disorders (except obstructive sleep...
- Previous diagnosis of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (defined as an apnea hypopnea index equal to or greater than 15 on home sleep test or attended polysomnography);
- Participants deemed to be at high risk of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea per the Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, high blood Pressure, Body mass index, Age, Neck circumference, and male Gender...
- Participants identified as having an apnea hypopnea index (AHI) 15 during the screening polysomnogram. These participants will be referred to clinical treatment;
- Periodic limb movement arousal index 15 or other sleep disorders captured during the screening polysomnogram that may confound, per the opinion of the investigators, the assessment and treatment of insomnia;
- A prolonged QT interval, corrected for heart rate (QTc), at the screening electrocardiogram. A prolonged QTc is defined as 470 milliseconds for males and 480 milliseconds for females;
- Engagement in CBT-I, prolonged exposure or cognitive processing therapy for 1-week prior to enrollment that in the opinion of the investigators may confound the assessment of insomnia and/or PTSD;
- Current evidence of clinically significant cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, hepatic, neurological, or other medical illness that in the opinion of the investigator(s) could affect the participant's safety...
- Females who are breastfeeding or pregnant at screening;
- Females of childbearing potential who are not practicing acceptable pregnancy prevention methods (NOTE: All females will be considered to be of childbearing potential unless they are postmenopausal or have been...
- Patients with conditions known to increase the risk of torsades de pointes and/or sudden death, such as symptomatic bradycardia and congenital prolongation of the QT interval;
- Hypnotics or other sedating medications that are being taken at bedtime for sleep (ex. melatonin, melatonin receptor agonists, zolpidem, eszopiclone, benzodiazepines, trazodone, mirtazapine, low-dose tricyclic...
- Antipsychotics and antidepressants with known 5-HT2A antagonist activity (ex. quetiapine, olanzapine, mirtazapine, trazodone) must be discontinued for 1 week prior to enrollment;
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (ex. itraconazole, ketoconazole, clarithromycin, indinavir) that may increase the levels of pimavanserin are prohibited;
- Strong CYP3A4 inducers (ex. rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St. John's wort) that may reduce the levels of pimavanserin are prohibited;
- Concurrent use of medications known to increase the QTc interval, such as Class 1A antiarrhythmics (e.g., quinidine, procainamide), Class 3 antiarrhythmics (e.g., amiodarone, sotalol), certain antipsychotic medications...
The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Where it's taking place
- Houston, Texas, United States
Compensation & support
Compensation mentioned.
ClinicalTrials.gov doesn't provide a reliable structured field for payment or travel support - confirm details with the study team.
Questions & answers
Do participants get paid in this trial?
This study's listing includes signals that participants may be compensated or receive a stipend. Amounts vary and are set by the study team - confirm the details with them.
Is it free to join, and do I need insurance?
Searching and applying through BridgeMD is free. In clinical trials the study-related treatment and visits are generally provided at no cost to you. You usually don't need insurance to take part - confirm specifics with the study team.
How long does this study last?
The listing doesn't state an exact length. The study team walks you through the schedule and number of visits before you decide to enroll.
Who can join this trial?
This study is enrolling all sexes, 18 years to 64 years. The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Where is this trial taking place?
Study sites include Houston, Texas, United States. Enter your location above to see the nearest site and check your eligibility.
Explore other conditions
BridgeMD is an information and trial-matching tool - not medical advice, and not the study sponsor. Details come from ClinicalTrials.gov; the study team decides eligibility.