Open Research Studies
Studies of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Methylene Blue and Prolonged Exposure for PTSD
This study is being funded through a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health. It is taking place at three locations across the country- in Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania, in Seattle at the University of Washington, and in Austin at the University of Texas. The principal investigators at each site respectively are Dr. Edna Foa, Dr. Lori Zoellner, and Dr. Michael Telch. This study examines the use of the memory-enhancing drug Methylene Blue (MB) to facilitate prolonged exposure (PE) therapy for the treatment of chronic PTSD. Our aim is to determine whether adding MB will make the therapy work faster thus allowing us to reduce the number of treatment sessions. Men and women who are suffering from PTSD may be eligible to participate in this study.
For further information about this study, contact Sarah Morris at 215-746-3327 at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.
Varenicline and CBT in the Treatment of Smoking and PTSD
This 5-year research study is in its first year of funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and is under the direction of principal investigator Edna Foa, PhD. The purpose of the study is to test the efficacy of an integrated treatment for smoking cessation among smokers with PTSD. This group of smokers has a particularly hard time quitting; they tend to be heavy smokers, more nicotine dependent, and to have more severe nicotine withdrawal when they try to stop smoking. Varenicline is a new medication that has shown greater effectiveness for smoking cessation than previously available drugs. Individuals who participate in this study will be randomly assigned to receive either varenicline alone or varenicline plus prolonged exposure for PTSD. Treatment will last for 13 weeks; we will continue to monitor study participants for an additional 3 months after the end of treatment. Individuals who received varenicline alone will have the option to receive prolonged exposure at the end of this follow-up period. This optional treatment will be provided at no cost to the participants. Men and women ages 18-75 with PTSD who want to quit smoking may be eligible to participate in this study.
For further information about this study contact the study coordinator Catherine Coogan., at 215-746-3327 at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.
Treating Troops with PTSD
This is a new study funded by the US Department of Defense to determine the most effective means of helping military personnel regain full functioning after having been diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after returning from deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. The PI of the study is Edna B. Foa, Ph.D. Prolonged exposure (PE) is an efficacious treatment for PTSD, typically administered in once- or twice-weekly sessions. This project will evaluate whether massing 10 PE sessions in 2 weeks is as effective as providing 10 PE sessions delivered over 8 weeks.
For further information about this study contact Edna Foa, Ph.D. at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.
Studies of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OCD Augmentation Study- Closed to Enrollment
This study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, is a collaboration between Dr. Edna Foa from the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Blair Simpson from Columbia University-New York State Psychiatric Institute. The purpose of the study is to compare two different, but effective augmentation treatments in order to examine how to maximally improve symptoms of OCD for those who are already taking SSRIs but still have OCD symptoms. Those who participate in the study will continue to take their SSRI and will be randomly assigned to receive one of three different add-on conditions: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Risperdal (RIS), or placebo (PBO). Initial treatment will last for 8.5 weeks. Individuals who benefit from the add-on treatment will be invited to continue with the same treatment for 6 additional months. Individuals who do not benefit from the initial add on treatment (CBT, RIS, or PBO) will be offered 8.5 weeks of treatment with one of the alternative active treatments (RIS or CBT). The add-on treatments will be provided at no cost. Men and women ages 18-70 with OCD who are currently taking SSRI medication are eligible to participate in this study.
For further information about future studies, contact Josephine Curry at 215-746-3327 at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.
