Actively Recruiting
Induction of Dreaming With EEG and Anesthesia for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Led by Stanford University · Updated on 2026-02-24
42
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
71 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
S
Stanford University
Lead Sponsor
T
Tiny Blue Dot Foundation
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The goal of this study is to test whether anesthesia-induced dreaming can help alleviate symptoms of PTSD in an (1) open-label trial (Phase I) and (2) double-blind, randomized controlled trial (Phase II) in a non-surgical setting. The investigators predict that inducing and sustaining a dream state prior to emergence from anesthesia will result in reduced symptoms of PTSD. Participants will undergo EEG-guided propofol anesthesia during which they will be either (1) receiving deep sedation leading to loss of responsiveness, designed to elicit dream reports upon emergence (Dream Protocol), and/or (2) light sedation without loss of responsiveness, designed to elicit non-dream experiential reports while responsive (e.g., simple imagery, sounds, thoughts, bodily sensations, hypnagogic-like experiences) (Non-Dream Protocol). The investigators will then investigate whether the deep-sedation Dream Condition is associated with a larger reduction in PTSD symptoms than the light-sedation Non-Dream Condition.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Induction of Dreaming With EEG and Anesthesia for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Male or female, 18 to 70 years of age
- Able to read, understand, and provide written, dated informed consent prior to screening
- Diagnosed with PTSD according to DSM-5 criteria prior to screening
- CAPS-5 score greater than 20 during screening
- Good enough health for a low-risk elective procedure, classified as ASA Class I or II
- If female, non-childbearing potential or using acceptable birth control
- Body mass index between 17 and 35 kg/m2
You will not qualify if you...
- Female who is pregnant or breastfeeding
- CAPS-5 score 20 or below at screening
- Current diagnosis of moderate or severe Substance Use Disorder or Alcohol Use Disorder (except mild or in remission)
- Current Axis I disorders other than specified stable conditions or Bipolar II disorder
- History of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, or psychotic symptoms
- History of eating disorders within five years
- Any Axis I or Axis II disorder clinically predominant over PTSD within six months
- Significant risk for suicidal behavior as judged by investigator
- Neurological disorder
- Cardiovascular disorder
- Pulmonary or respiratory disorder
- Clinically significant liver disease
- Clinically significant kidney disease
- Gastrointestinal disorders posing aspiration risk or ASA Class III or higher
- Endocrine disorder
- Any abnormal lab result posing participation risk
- If current mental health provider deems study participation risky
- Participation in conflicting clinical trials within past month or concurrent
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Stanford University
Stanford, California, United States, 94305
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
B
Boris D Heifets, MD, PhD
CONTACT
P
Pilleriin Sikka, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
3
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