This study will examine the effects of psilocybin on Lyme disease symptom burden and quality of life in people with Post-Treatment Lyme Disease (PTLD).
This pilot study will evaluate the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in people with well-documented current Post-Treatment Lyme Disease (PTLD). Study measures will assess the impact of psilocybin-assisted treatment on overall symptom burden and quality of life in 20 people with PTLD. This is an open-label proof-of-concept trial in which participants will complete an 8-week course of study treatment including two psilocybin sessions (15mg in week 4 and 15 or 25mg in week 6) with psychological support, and follow-up assessments 1, 3, and 6 months after the final psilocybin session.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
20
Dosing at the first session will be 15mg. For the second session participants will either remain at the initial dose, or increase to 25mg.
Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Change in multi-system symptom burden as assessed by the General Symptom Questionnaire (GSQ-30) score
The GSQ-30 is a validated and reliable instrument developed to assess multi-system symptom burden among patients with Lyme Disease. Total score ranges from 0 to 120, with higher scores indicating greater symptom burden.
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks after final psilocybin dose, 1 month after final psilocybin dose
Change in functional health and well-being as assessed by the Short Health Form (SF-36) score
The SF-36 (SF-36) is a multi-purpose, short form health survey that yields an 8-domain profile of functional health and well-being scores as well as psychometrically-based physical and mental health summary measures. The number of questions contributing to each domain varies from 2 to 10. Domain scores range from 0 (poorest health status) to 100 (best health status).
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks after final psilocybin dose, 1 month after final psilocybin dose
Change in fatigue as assessed by the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) score
The FSS was designed to detect and evaluate changes in fatigue over time in persons with chronic illness. Its research utility rests with its ability to measure fatigue severity and identify features that distinguish fatigue between other clinical features of chronic medical disorders, such as depression. Scores on the FSS range from a minimum of 9 to a maximum of 63, with higher scores indicating greater fatigue severity.
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks after final psilocybin dose, 1 month after final psilocybin dose
Change in pain as assessed by the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ)
The Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) was designed to provide a quantitative measure of pain that can be tested statistically and includes major classes of word descriptors used by patients to specify subjective pain experience. The SF-MPQ 15-item pain metric has summary scores ranging from 0 to 45 with a higher score indicating worse pain.
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Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks after final psilocybin dose, 1 month after final psilocybin dose