Effect of D-cycloserine on a Short Imagery Rescripting Intervention for Subclinical PTSD

Summary

This study aims to investigate the utility of d-cycloserine (DCS) for enhancing the effect of a novel psychosocial intervention, imagery rescripting (ImRs), in adults with mild to moderate PTSD symptoms after experiencing a traumatic event such as sexual or physical assault, serious accident, etc. Participants will receive 4 sessions of either cognitive behavioral therapy with imagery rescripting or cognitive behavioral therapy with imaginal exposure and will receive study medication (DCS or Pill placebo) prior to Session 2 and Session 3.

Timeline

Start

2016-09

Primary completion

2023-12

Completion

2024-12

Publications

• Background Arntz A, Weertman A. Treatment of childhood memories: theory and practice. Behav Res Ther. 1999 Aug;37(8):715-40. doi: 10.1016/s0005-7967(98)00173-9.
• Background Lee JL, Milton AL, Everitt BJ. Reconsolidation and extinction of conditioned fear: inhibition and potentiation. J Neurosci. 2006 Sep 27;26(39):10051-6. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2466-06.2006.
• Background Arntz A, Tiesema M, Kindt M. Treatment of PTSD: a comparison of imaginal exposure with and without imagery rescripting. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 2007 Dec;38(4):345-70. doi: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2007.10.006. Epub 2007 Oct 26.
• Background Hofmann SG, Smits JA, Rosenfield D, Simon N, Otto MW, Meuret AE, Marques L, Fang A, Tart C, Pollack MH. D-Cycloserine as an augmentation strategy with cognitive-behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 2013 Jul;170(7):751-8. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.12070974.
• Background Litz BT, Salters-Pedneault K, Steenkamp MM, Hermos JA, Bryant RA, Otto MW, Hofmann SG. A randomized placebo-controlled trial of D-cycloserine and exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder. J Psychiatr Res. 2012 Sep;46(9):1184-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2012.05.006. Epub 2012 Jun 12.
• Background Arntz A, Sofi D, van Breukelen G. Imagery Rescripting as treatment for complicated PTSD in refugees: a multiple baseline case series study. Behav Res Ther. 2013 Jun;51(6):274-83. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2013.02.009. Epub 2013 Mar 6.

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