Dopamine Enhancement of Fear Extinction Learning in PTSD (1R21MH108753)

Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate a new use for a medication called levodopa (L-DOPA). L-DOPA has been approved for use in Parkinson 's disease, but not for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). L-DOPA is thought to enhance certain cognitive abilities that the investigators believe may be affected among women with PTSD. It is hypothesized that L-DOPA may enhance fear extinction learning to a conditioned fear stimulus. If this is true, L-DOPA may improve outcomes for those undergoing certain types of therapy for PTSD, though that aim is beyond the scope of this project. Additionally, the investigators are testing whether an individual's genetic profile affects how well L-DOPA works to enhance cognitive abilities.

Timeline

Start

2016-03

Primary completion

2018-05-01

Completion

2018-05-01

Publications

• Ahrenholtz R, Hiser J, Ross MC, Privratsky A, Sartin-Tarm A, James GA, Cisler JM. Unique neurocircuitry activation profiles during fear conditioning and extinction among women with posttraumatic stress disorder. J Psychiatr Res. 2021 Sep;141:257-266. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.07.007. Epub 2021 Jul 6.

Drugs

Indications