Targeted glucocorticoid-blocking medicine for Veterans with PTSD
Official title: Phase IIa Trial of a Selective Glucocorticoid Receptor Antagonist in the Treatment ofVeterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Funded at Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco · NIH-11249175 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Veterans with PTSD will receive a selective glucocorticoid receptor blocker called CORT108297 to help reduce stress-related PTSD symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01CX001917-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11249175 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
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Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Neylan, Thomas C — Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Neylan, Thomas C
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Computationally mapping PTSD to better diagnosis and personalized care
A research project uses computer tools to find brain-based patterns that could help diagnose PTSD more clearly and tailor treatments for Veterans and others with PTSD.
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Creating new ways to diagnose and treat PTSD
This study is looking to make it easier to diagnose and treat PTSD by using smart computer tools to better understand the different symptoms people experience, which could lead to more personalized care for those affected.
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Testing a new medication for veterans with PTSD
This study is looking at how well a new medication called CORT108297 can help veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by improving their body's stress response, and participants will take the medication and share how they're feeling throughout the trial.
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Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation for PTSD in Veterans
A non-invasive device gently stimulates the vagus nerve to help reduce PTSD symptoms in veterans.
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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.
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.