Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Observational Ages 18 to 70

Imaging PDE4B in people with PTSD or Alcohol Use Disorder using [18F]PF974

Official title: Imaging PDE4B in People With Psychiatric Disorders With PET and the Radiotracer [18F]PF974

Run by Yale University · NCT07488819 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests whether a PET tracer can image PDE4B in adults with PTSD or alcohol use disorder to better understand brain targets related to these conditions.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Ages18 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
Enrollment160 (estimated)
SponsorYale University
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsradiation
Locations1 site (New Haven, Connecticut)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJuly 7, 2025
Main results expectedMarch 1, 2031
Study endsMarch 1, 2032
Registry record updatedJune 11, 2026
Trial IDNCT07488819 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults aged 18 to 70 with a DSM-5 diagnosis of PTSD or current Alcohol Use Disorder who can provide informed consent and meet health criteria.

Probably not a fit

Participants who do not have PTSD or AUD, or who do not meet the DSM-5 criteria or health requirements, may not benefit from the study findings.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study uses a PET radiotracer, [18F]PF974, to visualize phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) in the brains of adults with PTSD or alcohol use disorder. Participants undergo PET imaging to see how PDE4B is distributed and potentially altered in these psychiatric conditions. The study is conducted at Yale University and appropriate safety and health screenings are required before imaging. Data from this imaging could help clarify biological underpinnings and guide future research into targeted therapies.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings may improve understanding of PDE4B involvement in PTSD and AUD, informing future diagnostic or therapeutic approaches.

How similar studies have gone: PET imaging with PDE4B tracers has shown potential to map PDE4B distribution in the brain, supporting feasibility of this approach, though the specific tracer and population are less established.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Willing and able to give voluntary written informed consent.
2. Is able to read and write, able to communicate effectively with the investigator, and comply with all study requirements, restrictions, and directions of the research staff.
3. Men or women, aged 18 to 70, at screening.
4. In good general health as evidenced by medical history, physical examination, electrocardiogram, serum/urine biochemistry, hematology, and serology tests.
5. Participants with AUD will have a current diagnosis of AUD according to DSM-5 criteria (i.e., Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM-5) (SCID-5) ascertained diagnosis, confirmed by the Principal Investigators).
6. Participants with AUD will meet the following drinking criteria: males will drink \> 14 drinks per week and exceed 4 drinks per day at least twice per week; females will drink \> 7 drinks per week and exceed 3 drinks per day at least twice per week. They must meet drinking criteria during a consecutive 30-day period within the 90 days prior to intake.
7. Participants with PTSD will have a current diagnosis of PTSD according to DSM-5 criteria (CAPS-5 ascertained diagnosis, confirmed by the Principal Investigators. TC subjects must have a DSM-5 criteria traumatic event with no PTSD diagnosis.
8. Healthy control subjects will have no current or past diagnosis of AUD or other significant substance use disorder. They will drink less than 5 alcoholic drinks per week with no heavy drinking days (i.e., \>4 drinks/day for men; \>3 drinks/day for women) in the last 30 days. Subjects who have have a DSM-5 criteria traumatic event with no PTSD diagnosis may also be considered healthy controls for Aim 1.
9. Renal function and hepatic function will be within normal limits (for age and sex) on the laboratory tests. Elevated liver enzymes for individuals with alcohol use disorder are permitted at the discretion of the study physician.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Current significant medical condition such as neurological, cardiovascular, endocrine, renal, liver, or thyroid pathology that would impact the integrity of the data (note that elevated liver enzymes for individuals with AUD will not be exclusionary).
2. Past or current neurological disorder or disorders affecting the brain including but not limited to multiple sclerosis, history of stroke, brain tumors, traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness, seizure disorder.
3. Current significant psychiatric disorder including severe substance use disorder (other than alcohol or tobacco use disorders\*) and past or current psychotic symptoms.
4. Regular use in the past 6 months of any prescription, psychoactive or herbal medications (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics) that would impact the integrity of the data; No subject will be asked to stop taking medication to participate in the study. Participants who are regularly taking P-gp and BCRP inhibitors will be excluded.
5. Pregnancy or lactation.
6. Blood donation within eight weeks of the start of the study.
7. History of a bleeding disorder or are currently taking anticoagulants (such as Coumadin, Heparin, Pradaxa, Xarelto).
8. Unable to safely discontinue or hold aspirin and other NSAID use.
9. MRI incompatible implants (i.e., such as pacemaker, artificial joints, non-removable body piercings) and other contraindications for MRI, such as claustrophobia, having implanted or embedded metal objects/fragments or fragments in the head or body that would present a risk during the MRI scanning procedure, or have worked with ferrous metals either as a vocation or hobby (for example, as a sheet metal worker, welder, or machinist).
10. Participation in other research studies involving ionizing radiation within one year of the PET scans that would cause the subject to exceed the yearly dose limits for healthy volunteers.
11. Subject who has current, past, or anticipated exposure to radiation in the work place within one year of the proposed research scans that in combination with the study tracer would result in a cumulative exposure that exceeds recommended exposure limits.
12. Has any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would prevent compliance with the study protocol.
13. History of complicated alcohol withdrawal including history of delirium tremens; seizure, hospitalization for withdrawal.
14. A CIWA score ≥8 at intake or on scan day.
15. Subjects who are, in the opinion of the study physician, unable to safely abstain from alcohol overnight prior to their study visits.
16. Subjects with a significant history of repeated alcohol withdrawal, defined as 4 or more medicated detoxifications in the previous 5 years

Where it's running

  • Yale University
    New Haven, Connecticut, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.