Investigating the orexin system for treating PTSD and related psychosis
Official title: The orexin system as a target for PTSD and comorbid psychosis
Funded at South Texas Veterans Health Care System · NIH-10926781 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a brain system related to sleep and wakefulness might affect people with PTSD who also have psychotic symptoms, and it’s testing a safe medication to see if it can help improve their symptoms in a new way.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | South Texas Veterans Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2020 |
| Project end | September 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 2I01BX004693-05A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10926781 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with PTSD who also experience psychotic symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without PTSD or those who do not experience psychotic symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of the orexin system in patients with PTSD who also experience psychotic symptoms. It aims to understand how specific brain circuits, particularly involving the insular cortex, influence dopamine function and behavior in these patients. By using an FDA-approved drug called Suvorexant, which targets orexin receptors, the study seeks to identify new therapeutic strategies that could alleviate symptoms without the adverse effects associated with traditional treatments. The research will involve animal models to provide insights that could eventually translate to human applications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer treatments for patients suffering from PTSD and comorbid psychosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in using orexin receptor antagonists for treating stress-related conditions, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
South Texas Veterans Health Care System
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lodge, Daniel — South Texas Veterans Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Lodge, Daniel
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Orexin system for PTSD with psychotic symptoms
Looking at whether blocking orexin receptors can reduce stress-related brain and behavior changes linked to PTSD with psychotic symptoms.
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Understanding how PTSD affects self-control and brain function
Researchers are studying how PTSD changes the brain’s control over thoughts and actions, and how this might affect Veterans’ daily lives and responses to treatment.
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Ketamine to boost fear extinction and memory on PTSD patients
A study testing whether ketamine can help people with PTSD better relearn and forget fear when given in a guided treatment plan.
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Psychosis in diverse settings across the world
This project studies how psychotic disorders show up and respond to treatment in adults with diverse backgrounds, including populations in Africa, the Caribbean, and other Global South settings.
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Psychosis in Diverse Settings: Understanding Symptoms and Treatment Across Global South
A human-facing study will look at how psychotic disorders present and respond to treatment in adults from Africa, the Caribbean, and other Global South settings, using genetic and clinical data.
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A new online brain-scan-style tool to spot early psychosis risk
A new online-based set of tasks and a computer model aims to identify people at high risk for developing psychosis earlier and more accurately.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.