Actively Recruiting
Sympathetic Overactivity in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Led by Emory University · Updated on 2026-01-15
120
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
804 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
E
Emory University
Lead Sponsor
U
US Department of Veterans Affairs
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent anxiety disorder that is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease and hypertension. One potential mechanism is overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), both at rest and particularly during stress. This study will evaluate whether 8 weeks of daily DGB therapy or transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) therapy improves SNS activity at rest and during stress.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Sympathetic Overactivity in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Participants must be prehypertensive or have normal blood pressure
- Veterans with or without PTSD can participate
- Age between 18 and 65 years
You will not qualify if you...
- Presence of heart or vascular disease
- Illicit drug use within the last 6 months
- Excessive alcohol use (more than 2 drinks per day)
- Pregnancy
- Autonomic dysfunction
- Use of medications known to affect the sympathetic nervous system, such as clonidine
- Treatment with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors within the last 14 days
- Any serious systemic disease
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Atlanta VA Medical Center
Decatur, Georgia, United States, 30033
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
D
Deirdre Dixon, MS
CONTACT
J
Jeanie Park, MD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
4
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