Post-traumatic Stress Disorder study: Pimavanserin
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
- The study aims to find out whether pimavanserin improves sleep in people who have PTSD and trouble sleeping.
- Who it's for
- Veterans who have post‑traumatic stress disorder and insomnia.
- What's involved
- Participants will be randomly assigned to take either pimavanserin 34 mg or a placebo pill at bedtime, without knowing which they receive.
- 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;
- 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
- Associated with complaint of daytime impairment;
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
Who can join
- Adult, male and female Veterans, aged 18-64;
- 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...
What rules you out
- 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 is enrolling
- Houston, Texas, United States
Questions & answers
Do participants get paid in this trial?
This listing doesn't specify compensation. Many trials still reimburse travel or offer a stipend, so it's worth asking the study team when you connect.
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, but 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?
This study is enrolling now at Houston, Texas, United States. Enter your location above to see the nearest enrolling site and check your eligibility.
Explore other conditions
BridgeMD is an information and trial-matching tool that is independent of the study sponsor. Details come from ClinicalTrials.gov. The study team decides eligibility, and your own doctor gives medical advice.