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NOT YET RECRUITING
NCT06788522
PHASE4

The Effects of Orexin Antagonism on Fear Extinction in PTSD

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

View on ClinicalTrials.gov

Summary

PTSD affects approximately 22% of Veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Symptoms of PTSD may include re-experiencing, avoidance of trauma reminders, negative thoughts or feelings, and hyperarousal, such as increased startle reactivity and disturbed sleep. Treatments for PTSD are based on fear extinction principles in which individuals are repeatedly exposed a feared cue in the absence of danger, resulting in diminishing physiological reactions, a process believed to underlie recovery from PTSD. Studies suggest that orexin, a wake-promoting neuropeptide, may enhance fear extinction. This study will examine whether suvorexant, a selective orexin-receptor antagonist, will enhance fear extinction in Veterans with PTSD and insomnia. Finding a role for orexins in fear extinction will support the rationale for its further evaluation in the treatment of PTSD. Suvorexant is an accessible, safe medication that has been well-established in treating insomnia. It has outstanding promise for treating common and distressing symptoms in Veterans with PTSD.

Key Details

Gender

All

Age Range

18 Years - 75 Years

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Enrollment

40120

Start Date

2026-03-01

Completion Date

2032-06-30

Last Updated

2026-01-27

Healthy Volunteers

No

Conditions

Interventions

DRUG

Suvorexant

Suvorexant pills (10-20 mg)

DRUG

Placebo

Matching placebo pills

Locations (2)

San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA

San Francisco, California, United States

Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC

Charleston, South Carolina, United States