AzTrials
AzTrials

PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress DisorderPhase 2NCT06353282

MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment Resistant PTSD in Adolescents

A Phase 2 study testing MDMA and Psychotherapy in people with PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Adolescents, run by University of California, Los Angeles at 1 site in United States.

Withdrawn

Withdrawn. The study stopped before anyone enrolled.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

The primary objective of this study is to determine the safety and feasibility of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) -assisted psychotherapy to treat resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 16 to 17 years
What is being tested?
MDMA and Psychotherapy
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
0 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
1 Jul 2025to 31 Dec 2026
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 16 to 17 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • Participants must meet DSM-5 criteria for current PTSD in response to a traumatic experience. An individual is not excluded if they experience more than one traumatic event. (Traumatic Event Screening Inventory for Children given to youth and caregiver, youth given CPSS if positive screen.)
  • Participants must have treatment-resistant PTSD, as defined by having continued diagnosis of PTSD following at least 3-months of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. Psychotherapeutic treatments may include, but are not limited to, cognitive behavioral therapy (including trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy, stress inoculation training, including anxiety management, and insight-oriented psychotherapy). Pharmacotherapies include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
  • Participants may also meet criteria for a mood (except bipolar disorder) or anxiety disorder. The inclusion of adolescents with either mood or anxiety disorders is essential given frequency of co-occurring disorders.
  • Participants must be 16-17 years old at time of study screening.
  • Participants; parents/caregivers must be willing to commit to two experimental sessions, therapy sessions, follow-up sessions, and completion of assessment parameters and instruments. Adolescents must assent.
  • Participants must be willing to refrain from taking any psychotropic medication from the outset of the study until follow-up at 3 months. The scheduled outcome measures at 6 months will be conducted regardless of whether additional psychotropic medication was used. If they are being treated with psychoactive drugs at the time they are recruited into the study, agreement to suspend treatment must be obtained in writing from their outside treating physician. The drugs would be tapered in an appropriate fashion to avoid withdrawal effects (interval of at least five times the half-life).
Show all 14Show fewer
  • Participants who are in ongoing psychotherapy at the time they are recruited into the study may continue to see their outside therapist during the course of the study. If they desire that the investigators communicate directly with the therapist, parents/caregivers must sign a release of information. They may not change therapists, increase the length and frequency of sessions, or commence a new type of therapy until one month following the second experimental medication session.
  • Participants must agree that, for one week preceding each experimental session: They will refrain from taking any herbal supplement (except with prior approval of the research team). They will not take any nonprescription medications (with the exception of NSAIDs or acetaminophen unless with prior approval of the research team). Without the permission of their physician, they will not take any prescription medications (with the exception of birth control pills, thyroid hormones or other medications approved by the research team).
  • Participants must agree to take nothing my mouth except alcohol-free liquids after midnight the evening before the experimental sessions. Patient must also refrain from the use of psychoactive substances, including caffeine and cannabis, within 24 hours of the experimental sessions and for 24 hours following the experimental sessions.
  • Participants must be willing to be driven home by their parent/caregiver the evening of the experimental sessions and return with their parent/caregiver the following morning for the first integration therapy sessions.
  • Participants must be willing to be contacted via telephone on a daily basis by one of the investigators for a week after the experimental sessions.
  • Participants who do not adhere to the usual progression of scheduled visits, as may occur when a session is delayed, must agree to maintain weekly telephone contact with the study investigators, and must agree to speak with the investigators if there is a significant increase in symptoms for which they were previously medicated, if there is unanticipated need to contact their treating therapist, or if there are any changes in medication.
  • Female participants must have a negative pregnancy test at study intake and must agree to use of an effective form of birth control.
  • Participants must have sufficient proficiency in English to participate in psychotherapy in English. They and their parents/caregivers must be fluent in English and able to understand documents in English.

Who cannot join

  • Participants who are experiencing current or at imminent risk for trauma and victimization as assessed by information gathered during the screening.
  • Participants who appear to reside within an unsupportive and/or chaotic family structure (ex: Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) involvement).
  • Sexually active females who are not practicing an effective means of birth control.
  • Participants with a personal or first-degree family history of a primary psychotic disorder or bipolar affective disorder.
  • Participants with a personal history of an eating disorder, dissociative identity disorders, or borderline personality disorder.
  • Participants with evidence or history of significant hematological, endocrine, cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, coronary, pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, immunocompromising, or neurological disease, including seizure disorder. Participants with hypothyroidism who are stable on thyroid replacement will not be excluded.
Show all 16Show fewer
  • Any of the following cardiovascular conditions: hypertension, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac ischemia, congestive heart failure, tachycardia, artificial heart valve, or any other significant cardiovascular condition.
  • Resting blood pressure above 140 systolic, 90 diastolic (averaged across four separate measurements)
  • Participants with hepatic disease, or history of hyponatremia or hyperthermia.
  • Participants weighing less than 50 kg (30th percentile for 16 years and 25th percentile for 17 years) or more than 105 kg.
  • Participants reporting any prior use of "ecstasy", methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, misuse of prescription opiates or benzodiazepines.
  • Participants meeting DSM 5 criteria for a substance use disorder.
  • Participants with previous history of psychiatric hospitalization.
  • Participants who would present with significant current suicidality (as measured by PHQ-9 and CRRRS) or who are deemed by the study team to need a higher level of care than the outpatient treatment the study is providing.
  • Participants requiring ongoing concomitant therapy with psychoactive drug and unwilling or unable to taper off the medication(s) under physician supervision.
  • Any participant whose parent/caregiver is not able to give adequate informed consent or any participant who is not able to give assent.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior

    Los Angeles, California, 90095

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) for Treatment-resistant Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Adolescents

The primary objective of this study is to determine the safety and feasibility of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) -assisted psychotherapy to treat resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The secondary objectives are the exploration of effectiveness for treatment-resistant PTSD, symptoms of depression, and anxiety symptoms.

Read the detailed description

This study is an open-label fixed dose trial whereby youth with treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will be recruited. Treatment-resistant depression is defined as having continued Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM-5) diagnosis of PTSD following at least 3 months of psychotherapy and (either separately or combined) at least 3 months of SSRI pharmacotherapy. Before entering the trial, youth will undergo a preliminary medical and psychiatric screening to determine eligibility. Eligible youth will then proceed to 3-month MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, which includes 13 sessions of psychotherapy with two MDMA experimental medication sessions of 80mg and 120mg, respectively. Study assessments will include a baseline assessment, weekly assessments throughout the course of the treatment trial, and assessments at 3 months and 6 months post-treatment.

Being tested
MDMA, Psychotherapy
Keywords
PTSD, MDMA, Adolescent, Psychotherapy
Medical subject headings
Combat Disorders, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • MDMADrug

    MDMA will be dosed in pre-filled capsules and administered orally to participants in two fixed doses - an 80mg dose following the fourth session and a 120mg dose following the ninth session of MDMA to each participant. MDMA experimental medication administration session 1 (8 hours); MDMA experimental medication session 2 (8 hours). Participants will be required to remain in the therapy room for the duration of the experimental medication sessions without the youths' parent/guardian present. The parent/guardian will be invited to attend integration sessions and must be available to drop off and pick up the participant.

  • PsychotherapyBehavioural

    Treatment session order: Four weekly 90-minute experimental medication preparation psychotherapy sessions; four weekly 90-minute psychotherapy integration sessions, starting the day following the preceding experimental medication session; and Five weekly 90-minute psychotherapy integration sessions, starting the day following the preceding experimental medication session.

Study groups in NCT06353282
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
MDMA PsychotherapyExperimentalOpen-label fixed-dose trial whereby 10 youth with treatment-resistant PTSD will be recruited. Treatment-resistant depression is defined as having continued DSM-5 diagnosis of PTSD following at least 3 months of psychotherapy and (either separately or combined) at least 3 months SSRI pharmacotherapy. Prior to entering the trial, youth will undergo a preliminary medical and psychiatric screening to determine eligibility. Eligible youth will then proceed to 3-month MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, which includes 13 sessions of psychotherapy with two MDMA experimental medication sessions of 80mg and 120mg, respectively. Study assessments will include a baseline assessment, weekly assessments throughout the course of the treatment trial, and assessments at 3 months and 6 months post-treatment.
Receives: Drug: MDMA; Behavioral: Psychotherapy

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Changes in heart rhythm via Carnation Ambulatory Heart Monitor

    Changes in heart rhythm via Carnation Ambulatory Heart Monitor

    Measured: Throughout the 24 hours prior to each experimental medication session, throughout the duration of each drug administration session, and the 24 hours following each experimental medication session. Up to 64 hours.

  2. Changes in blood pressure

    changes in blood pressure as measured by blood pressure machine

    Measured: Baseline assessment and at 1-hour intervals throughout each experimental medication session. Up to 17 hours total.

  3. Change in pulse

    Change in pulse as part of measuring vitals

    Measured: Baseline assessment and at 1-hour intervals throughout each experimental medication session. Up to 17 hours total.

  4. Change in body temperature

    Changes in body temperature as measured by thermometer

    Measured: Baseline assessment and at 1-hour intervals throughout each experimental medication session. Up to 17 hours total

  5. Mean change in score of visual analog scale to assess potential for misuse of MDMA

    Investigate MDMA drug abuse potential through visual analog scale. Range for scale is 1-5 and will ask about the likability of the substance and the desire to use it in a non-clinical context.

    Measured: Weekly throughout treatment and at 3-month and 6-month follow-ups. Through study completion, an average of 9 months

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Mean change in PTSD symptom severity via the Child PTSD Symptom Scale

    Change in PTSD symptom severity via the Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS). The Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS) measures posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis and severity in the past month in children aged 8 to 18. Possible scores range from 0 to 80, with higher scores indicating a worse outcome/greater severity of symptoms.

    Measured: Baseline, One month Post Experimental Session, and 3 and 6 months post-treatment. Through study completion, an average of 9 months

  2. Mean change in PTSD symptom severity via the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-CA-5)

    Change in PTSD symptom severity via the CAPS-CA-5. The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale(CAPS-CA-5) measures posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in the past month in children aged 7 and above. Possible scores range from 0 to 80 , with higher scores indicating more severe PTSD symptoms.

    Measured: Baseline, One month Post Experimental Session, and 3 and 6 months post-treatment. Through study completion, an average of 9 months

  3. Mean change in depression symptom severity via the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).

    Change in depressive symptom severity via the PHQ-9. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) measures the severity of depression. Possible scores range from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating greater severity of depressive symptoms.

    Measured: Baseline and at each study visit following MDMA experimental medication sessions. Through study completion, an average of 9 months

  4. Mean change in anxiety symptom severity via the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7)

    Change in Anxiety symptoms assessed by the GAD-7. Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale measures the severity of anxiety. Possible scores range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety severity.

    Measured: Baseline and at each study visit following the experimental medication sessions. Through study completion, an average of 9 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted9 Apr 2024
  2. Study start1 Jul 2025 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion31 Jan 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)

Why it stopped: Under review with FDA

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
0 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06353282
Sponsor's protocol ID
24-000795
Status last verified
Apr 2025
First submitted
25 Mar 2024
Last updated
10 Apr 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing MDMA and Psychotherapy in people with PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Adolescents, run by University of California, Los Angeles at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 14 inclusion and 16 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: withdrawn, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Apr 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

The study was withdrawn before enrolling participants, so there are no results.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Changes in heart rhythm via Carnation Ambulatory Heart Monitor (time frame: Throughout the 24 hours prior to each experimental medication session, throughout the duration of each drug administration session, and the 24 hours following each experimental medication session. Up to 64 hours.). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Apr 2025.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in