The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of group-based MDMA-assisted therapy compared to individual MDMA-assisted therapy in participants with PTSD, who were diagnosed following the events of 7 October 2023. The main questions it aims to answer are: safety and tolerability? effectiveness? Researchers will compare group-based MDMA-assisted therapy to individual MDMA-assisted therapy to see if group-based MDMA-assisted therapy is not inferior to individual MDMA-assisted therapy, in terms of safety and effectiveness. Participants will be randomized to one of two study arms: group-based MDMA-assisted therapy or individual MDMA-assisted therapy receive MDMA HCl administered orally in a divided dose. Participate in preparatory sessions, MDMA dosing sessions, and integration sessions. Be monitored for adverse events and suicidality (C-SSRS). Be monitored by an external Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB).
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is a severe and debilitating disorder that may occur following a traumatic event, with significant consequences on daily life, such as inability to form beneficial relationships, inability to maintain employment, reduced cognitive and psycho-social functioning, depression, anxiety and alcohol disorders and use of addictive substances. Available PTSD treatments include medications and therapy, but they effectively treat only a small portion of people, indicating a need to develop treatments targeting durable remission of PTSD. MDMA is a phenylisopropylamine derivative. MDMA increases levels of serotonin and also increases levels of oxytocin and vasopressin, which are associated with increased trust and reduced reactivity to threatening situations. MDMA is not used as a treatment by itself, but as an adjunct that enhances the effectiveness of psychotherapy. Participants will complete pre-screening. Screening and enrollment procedures include review of medical and psychiatric history, documentation of prior/current medications, and completion of questionnaires. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires throughout the study, including during screening and at multiple time points across study visits, to assess symptoms and other study-related measures. Eligible participants will be randomized, with allocation managed centrally, to one of two treatment arms. Prior to administration of the investigational product, participants will attend preparatory sessions. MDMA HCl will be administered orally in a divided dose, with a supplemental dose administered 1.5 to 2 hours after the initial dose. During dosing sessions, participants will be monitored, including measurement of vital signs by trained medical staff. Safety procedures include physical examination, urine drug testing, ECG assessment, and safety laboratory tests as specified in the protocol. Safety monitoring will include assessment of adverse events and C-SSRS. Study safety will be overseen by an external Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
168
MDMA HCl will be administered orally during dosing sessions in a divided dose. In the first dosing session, participants will receive 80 mg MDMA HCl with a supplemental dose of 40 mg administered 1.5 to 2 hours after the initial dose. In the second and third dosing sessions, participants will receive 120 mg MDMA HCl with a supplemental dose of 60 mg administered 1.5 to 2 hours after the initial dose.
Mental Health Medical Center Beer Sheva
Beersheba, Israel
RECRUITINGLev-Hasharon Mental Health Medical Center
Pardesiyya, Israel
RECRUITINGChange in PTSD symptoms as measured by CAPS-5
Change from baseline in PTSD symptoms as measured by the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5).
Time frame: Baseline to end-of-treatment visit (Week 17 in the GMAT; Week 13 in the IMAT)
Change in PTSD symptoms as measured by PCL-5
Change from baseline in PTSD symptoms as measured by the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5).
Time frame: Baseline to end-of-treatment visit (Week 17 in the GMAT; Week 13 in the IMAT)
Safety and tolerability
Severity, incidence and frequency of adverse events (AEs), treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), adverse events of special interest (AESIs) and serious adverse events (SAEs).
Time frame: From baseline through end-of-study visit (Week 17 in the GMAT; Week 13 in the IMAT)
Suicidal ideation and behavior assessed with C-SSRS
Incidence of serious suicidal ideation and positive suicidal behavior assessed with the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS).
Time frame: From baseline through end-of-study visit Week 17 in the GMAT; Week 13 in the IMAT), assessed throughout the treatment period
Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure
Mean change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure from pre-investigational product (IP) administration to the end of each Experimental Session.
Time frame: From pre-IP administration to end of each Experimental Session (Weeks 6, 10, and 14 in the GMAT arm; Weeks 4, 7, and 10 in the IMAT arm)
Change in heart rate
Mean change in heart rate from pre-investigational product (IP) administration to the end of each Experimental Session.
Time frame: From pre-IP administration to end of each Experimental Session (Weeks 6, 10, and 14 in the GMAT arm; Weeks 4, 7, and 10 in the IMAT arm)
Change in respiratory rate
Mean change in respiratory rate from pre-investigational product (IP) administration to the end of each Experimental Session.
Time frame: From pre-IP administration to end of each Experimental Session (Weeks 6, 10, and 14 in the GMAT arm; Weeks 4, 7, and 10 in the IMAT arm)
Change in body temperature
Mean change in body temperature from pre-investigational product (IP) administration to the end of each Experimental Session.
Time frame: From pre-IP administration to end of each Experimental Session (Weeks 6, 10, and 14 in the GMAT arm; Weeks 4, 7, and 10 in the IMAT arm)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.