The purpose of this multi-site randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the efficacy and risks of psilocybin for the treatment of depression in U.S. military Veterans with and without (±) concurrent posttraumatic stress disorder.
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a serious mental health problem in Veterans, frequently comorbid with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and in need of novel and effective treatments. Clinical studies have revealed antidepressant effects of psilocybin for depression in civilians, but less is known about its efficacy and safety in Veterans. Very limited data is available on the effects of psilocybin in the treatment of PTSD. Thus, it is important to evaluate the safety and efficacy of psilocybin in the treatment of TRD with and without PTSD among Veterans. The purpose of this multi-site, double-blind, randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the efficacy and risks of psilocybin for the treatment of TRD in U.S. military Veterans with and without (±) concurrent PTSD. Eligible and consenting Veterans will two psilocybin dosing sessions along with preparation, administration, and integration psychological support provided by a facilitator. For the 1st psilocybin administration, participants will be randomized to one of two doses under blinded conditions. One month later, all participants will receive a 25mg dose at their 2nd psilocybin visit. Outcomes will be measured by an independent evaluator masked from all treatments at 2 and 4 weeks after each dosing session. Longer-term follow-up will be conducted over 6 months. Both expected and unanticipated adverse events will be collected by type, severity and relatedness to the study drug.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
240
Psilocybin comparator dose
Psilocybin Intervention Dose
Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, Tuscaloosa, AL
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States
VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR
Portland, Oregon, United States
Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Montgomery-Asberg Rating Scale (MADRS)
10-item clinician-administered rating scale for depression. Scored 0 to 60; higher score indicates more severe symptomatology.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Swiss Psychedelic Side Effects Inventory Overall Score
A clinician guided self-report form that has a list of effects pertaining to psychedelics; has the option to add other side effects (or expected effects) as desired and includes an open text field to provide additional details that are not captured in the inventory list. In addition to rating severity of the side effects, the SPSI captures impact, causality, timing and duration, and has a global rating on tolerability. Scoring: Calculate total scores for the number of side effects, severity, and impact by adding the relevant columns. Calculate total scores for the number of side effects, severity, and impact by adding the relevant columns. The overall score is calculated by subtracting total severity from total impact. The overall score represents the burden of side effects for that person within the specified timeframe.
Time frame: one day
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VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division, Seattle, WA
Seattle, Washington, United States