Targeted glucocorticoid-blocking medicine for Veterans with PTSD

Phase IIa Trial of a Selective Glucocorticoid Receptor Antagonist in the Treatment ofVeterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

NIH-funded research Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco · NIH-11249175

Veterans with PTSD will receive a selective glucocorticoid receptor blocker called CORT108297 to help reduce stress-related PTSD symptoms.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVeterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-11249175 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would take CORT108297, a drug that blocks glucocorticoid receptors, for a short treatment period while study staff check your health and symptoms. The team will measure PTSD symptoms, side effects, and stress-hormone (HPA axis) markers before and after treatment. People with recent traumatic brain injury were treated as a separate group in prior work and may be excluded or analyzed separately. The trial aims to restore stress-hormone balance and improve PTSD without the pregnancy-related risks of older drugs.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Veterans aged 18 and older with diagnosed PTSD who meet the study's medical and medication eligibility criteria (likely excluding recent traumatic brain injury and pregnancy) are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with recent traumatic brain injury, pregnant individuals, or those who do not meet medical or medication safety criteria may not benefit or be eligible for this trial.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this medicine could reduce PTSD symptoms by normalizing stress-hormone signaling while avoiding the reproductive risks seen with some older drugs.

How similar studies have performed: A prior trial of the GR antagonist mifepristone showed short-term benefits in a subgroup of veterans without traumatic brain injury, but CORT108297 is a newer drug with less clinical testing in PTSD.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.