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Sympathetic Overactivity in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Description

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent anxiety disorder that is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease and hypertension. One potential mechanism is overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), both at rest and particularly during stress. This study will evaluate whether 8 weeks of daily DGB therapy or transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) therapy improves SNS activity at rest and during stress.

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent anxiety disorder that is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease and hypertension. One potential mechanism is overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), both at rest and particularly during stress. This study will evaluate whether 8 weeks of daily DGB therapy or transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) therapy improves SNS activity at rest and during stress.

Mechanisms of Sympathetic Overactivity in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Sympathetic Overactivity in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Condition
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Decatur

Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia, United States, 30033

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Prehypertensive and normotensive veterans with PTSD, and prehypertensive and normotensive veterans without PTSD (controls)
  • * heart or vascular disease
  • * illicit drug use
  • * excessive alcohol use (\>2 drinks per day)
  • * pregnancy
  • * autonomic dysfunction
  • * medications known to affect SNS (clonidine)
  • * treatment with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors within the last 14 days
  • * any serious systemic disease

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Emory University,

Jeanie Park, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Emory University and the Atlanta VA Medical Center

Study Record Dates

2024-12