Clinical Research Directory

Open-Label Psilocybin Study in Transdiagnostic Population

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the safety, feasibility, and tolerability of psilocybin treatment in individuals with functional impairment due to psychiatric symptoms. The secondary objective of this study is to determine whether individuals with functional impairments due to psychiatric symptoms will experience statistically significant symptom reduction and functional improvement from baseline symptom measurements (Visit 3) to 1-week (Visit 7), 4-weeks (Visit 8), and 6-weeks (Visit 9) post dosing. The investigators will recruit individuals with mood, anxiety, trauma, addictive, or related symptomatology, and who have functional impairment associated with these symptoms. A DSM-5 diagnosis is not required (nor is it an exclusion). The investigators will allow for comorbidity and only exclude based on psychological and physiological safety considerations. Critically, this approach will allow us to assess the tolerability of our interventions in individuals who would typically be excluded from efficacy studies due to various comorbid DSM-5 conditions. The investigators will employ an open-label study where participants will be given one dose of oral psilocybin 25mg. The investigators will also have follow-up visits at 1, 4, and 6 weeks and an optional long-term follow-up at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Clinician Supported Mobile App to Reduce Mental Health Symptoms Among World Trade Center Responders in Florida

This study examines mental health challenges among World Trade Center (WTC) General Responders, who continue to experience significant psychological trauma from the WTC collapse. PTSD and depression remain common, and nearly six percent of the WTC Health Program (WTCHP) cohort now resides in Florida. Many identify as Hispanic, underscoring the need for linguistically appropriate services. Research shows that remotely delivered, clinician-supported mobile applications can reduce mental health symptoms. PTSD Coach, developed by the Veterans Administration, is a free self-managed mobile app designed to help users manage PTSD symptoms through tools such as relaxation exercises, calming self-talk, and sleep hygiene practices. Reviews of the app have found it feasible, acceptable, and effective in reducing PTSD symptoms. Clinician-Supported PTSD Coach was designed for individuals unlikely to use the app independently. This model pairs the PTSD Coach app with four remote 20-30-minute clinician sessions over eight weeks. Studies with Veterans demonstrate reductions in PTSD and depression, higher satisfaction, and increased treatment engagement compared with usual care. However, these interventions have not yet been tested with WTC General Responders or Hispanic populations. This study will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of Clinician-Supported PTSD Coach in reducing PTSD, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances among English- and Spanish-speaking WTC General Responders in Florida. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (1) Clinician-Supported PTSD Coach, (2) Self-Managed PTSD Coach, or (3) Waitlist Control. Assessments at 8 and 12 weeks will measure symptom reductions and examine engagement, satisfaction, and barriers within the app-based conditions. It is expected that both interventions will reduce symptoms, with greater improvements in the clinician-supported condition. This project addresses a critical gap in evidence-based mental health treatments for dispersed WTC Responders and responds to the WTCHP Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee's call for more research on mental health interventions. By focusing on Hispanic and Spanish-speaking Responders-an understudied group-this study may support the development of scalable, app-based interventions that can be deployed nationally to meet the mental health needs of WTC responders and survivors.

Cannabis, Neuroinflammation, and Suicidal Ideation: A Supplemental Brain Imaging Study

This study will be the first to use brain imaging to explore how cannabis affects the brain and inflammation in U.S. military veterans with PTSD. It builds on an ongoing study testing different combinations of THC and CBD in 200 veterans. In this project, up to 100 veterans will complete brain scans before and after 12 weeks of cannabis administration to see how the brain changes over time. The scans will measure a marker sensitive to neuroinflammatory state, brain communication, and activity during thinking and emotion tasks. By linking these brain changes to improvements in PTSD symptoms, suicidal thoughts, and quality of life, this study may help identify which veterans benefit most from cannabis-based treatments and support more personalized care for PTSD.

Virtual Reality Treatment for Trauma Related to COVID-19 Infection

This clinical trial aims to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)-based exposure therapy for trauma symptoms related to COVID-19 infection. The intervention targets healthcare workers and individuals from the general population who experienced pandemic-related psychological distress. The study assesses psychological and physiological outcomes, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, HRV, and EEG biomarkers.