Actively Recruiting
Nitric Oxide (NO) and Endothelial Dysfunction in Women With PTSD
Led by University of Minnesota · Updated on 2026-04-03
30
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
114 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research study is conducted to better understand why women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have higher risk of cardiovascular disease as they get older. This study looks at how trauma and PTSD affect blood vessels in young women by testing whether the dietary supplement beetroot juice might help improve the function of blood vessels in women suffering from PTSD.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Nitric Oxide (NO) and Endothelial Dysfunction in Women With PTSD
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Women ages 18 to 40, biologically female
- Premenopausal as indicated by self-reported menstrual cycles
- Trauma-exposed with or without PTSD, confirmed by clinical interview, medical records, and self-report
- Willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the study duration
- Diagnosis of major depression
- Participants with other anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder without psychotic features, mild to moderate traumatic brain injury, and borderline personality disorder are eligible
- Stable on psychiatric medications with no changes in the past 3 months
- Must hold any over-the-counter medications for 24 hours before each testing visit
- PTSD diagnosis meeting DSM-5 criteria assessed by CAPS 5 with at least 6 symptoms and a total severity score of 25 or higher
You will not qualify if you...
- Non-biologically female individuals
- Taking hormone replacement therapy
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy during the study
- Taking any hormonal contraceptives
- Medical conditions including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, vascular disease, ongoing illicit drug use, excessive alcohol use (>2 drinks/day), hyperlipidemia, autonomic dysfunction, serious systemic disease, or gastrointestinal disorders
- Taking medications affecting vascular function or central sympathetic output such as antihypertensives, corticosteroids, vasodilators, or thyroid medications
- Ongoing substance abuse or less than 6 months recovery from illicit drug use
- Psychotic or dissociative disorders
- Unable or unwilling to abstain from nicotine for at least 12 hours before physiologic studies
- Gastrointestinal complications like irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease
- Food allergy to dietary nitrates or nitrate-containing foods
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55455
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
I
Ida-Arlaine Fonkoue, MD, PhD, MsCR
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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