Blocking intrusive memories related to trauma and cocaine use
An Investigation of the Effect of MMP-9 Inhibition With Minocycline on the Reconsolidation of Intrusive Trauma- or Cocaine-related Memories
This study is testing if a medication called minocycline can help people with PTSD and cocaine use disorder by blocking harmful memories that make their conditions worse.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 180 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Psychiatric University Hospital, Zurich Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | methotrexate |
| Locations | 1 site (Zürich) |
| Trial ID | NCT05902819 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effects of minocycline, a matrix-metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) inhibitor, on the reconsolidation of intrusive memories in individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cocaine use disorder (CUD). Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either minocycline or a placebo before undergoing guided memory activation sessions. The study will track intrusive memories using ecological momentary assessment and will measure glutamate concentration and neural activation through advanced imaging techniques. The goal is to determine if MMP-9 inhibition can effectively disrupt the reconsolidation of harmful memories that contribute to these disorders.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 to 60 with a current diagnosis of PTSD or cocaine use disorder.
Not a fit: Patients who do not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD or cocaine use disorder, or those outside the specified age range, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a novel therapeutic option for reducing intrusive memories in patients with PTSD and cocaine use disorder.
How similar studies have performed: While research on memory reconsolidation has shown mixed results, this specific approach using MMP-9 inhibition with minocycline is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
General Inclusion Criteria: * Ability to read, understand and provide written informed consent * Age between 18 and 60 years * To be sufficiently fluent in German Inclusion Criteria for the PTSD group: - Current diagnosis of full PTSD according to the 5th version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), of subthreshold PTSD, as in meeting two to three of the DSM-5 criteria B-E, or of complex PTSD Inclusion Criteria for the CUD group: * Current diagnosis of mild, moderate, or severe CUD according to DSM-5 * Regular cocaine use in the last 12 months and at least one consumption event in the last 6 months Inclusion Criteria for the Clinical Controls (PTSD+CUD group): * Current diagnosis of full PTSD according to the 5th version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), of subthreshold PTSD, as in meeting two to three of the DSM-5 criteria B-E, or of complex PTSD * Current diagnosis of mild, moderate, or severe CUD according to DSM-5 * Regular cocaine use in the last 12 months and at least one consumption event in the last 6 months General Exclusion Criteria: * Women who are pregnant or breast feeding or intending to become pregnant during the course of the study or within 3 months after * Other clinically significant concomitant disease states, e.g., renal failure (i.e., estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; CKD-EPI) lower than 60 ml/min/1.73 m2), hepatic dysfunction (i.e., alanine transaminase (ALT) higher than 90 U/I for women or 110 U/I for men, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) higher than 74 U/I, and/or gamma-glutamyl transferase (γGT) higher than 70 U/I for women or 120 U/I for men), cardiovascular disease, etc. * Presence or history of severe neurological disorders, head injuries or systemic/rheumatic disease * Diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or autism spectrum disorder according to DSM-5 * Pacemaker, neurostimulator or any other head or heart implants as well as MRI-incompatible metal parts or possibility of metal fragments in the body (MR safety) * Claustrophobia (MR safety) * Dependence on a hearing aid (MR safety) * Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g., due to language problems * Participation in another study with investigational drugs within the 30 days preceding and during the present study * More than three suicide attempts in the past, a suicide attempt within the last 12 months and/or acute suicidality Exclusion Criteria for Healthy Controls: * Any current psychiatric diagnosis according to DSM-5 except for mild or moderate substance use disorder (SUD) for nicotine, and mild SUD for alcohol and cannabis * Diagnosis of CUD according to DSM-5 (lifetime) * Diagnosis of PTSD according to DSM-5 (lifetime) Exclusion Criteria for both the PTSD and CUD groups: * Allergy to minocycline or to any other ingredient in the named drug * Current intake of the following medications interacting with minocycline: acitretin, acetylcystein, aluminiumhydroxid, amitryptiline, any antibiotics, antidiabetic drug such as sulfonylurea, atazanavir, atomoxetine, anticoagulant drugs from the coumarin type, barbiturates, bupropion, carbamazepine, ciclosporin A, isotretinoin, methotrexate, phenytoin, and theophylline Exclusion Criteria for only the PTSD group: * Diagnosis of CUD according to DSM-5 (lifetime) * Current diagnosis of severe SUD for nicotine, moderate SUD for alcohol and cannabis, and mild SUD for all other substances according to DSM-5 Exclusion Criteria for only the CUD group: * Diagnosis of PTSD according to DSM-5 (lifetime) * Current diagnosis of severe SUD for alcohol or cannabis, and mild SUD for all other substances (except for nicotine) according to DSM-5 Exclusion Criteria for Clinical Controls (PTSD+CUD group): - Current diagnosis of severe SUD for alcohol or cannabis, and mild SUD for all other substances (except for nicotine) according to DSM-5
Where this trial is running
Zürich
- Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich — Zürich, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Boris B. Quednow, Prof. Dr. — Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich
- Study coordinator: Amelie Zacher, MSc.
- Email: ameliesophie.zacher@bli.uzh.ch
- Phone: +41 58 384 35 54
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.