D-serine for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment

Summary

The aim of this study is to asses the effects of the NMDA receptor full agonist D-serine while used as adjuvant treatment for individuals suffering from chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Dysfunction of neurotransmission mediated at NMDA receptor plays a cardinal role in the pathophysiology of PTSD and PTSD patients typically suffer from cognitive dysfunctions and avoidance\& depressive symptomatology that may be mediated by NMDA receptor function deficits. Thus, enhancement of NMDA activity by using D-serine may be beneficial in the treatment of PTSD. The study design involves two 6 week periods during which the participants will be randomly assigned to receive treatment with D-serine (\~2g /dy)and placebo. This design allows each participant the opportunity to respond to the experimental treatment.

Timeline

Start

2003-08

Primary completion

2008-05

Completion

2008-05

Publications

• Heresco-Levy U, Vass A, Bloch B, Wolosker H, Dumin E, Balan L, Deutsch L, Kremer I. Pilot controlled trial of D-serine for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2009 Oct;12(9):1275-82. doi: 10.1017/S1461145709000339. Epub 2009 Apr 15.

Drugs

Indications