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The Effects of Orexin Antagonism on Fear Extinction in PTSD
Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development
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
Interventions
Suvorexant
Suvorexant pills (10-20 mg)
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