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NCT Number: NCT07419594

Estradiol and Intrusive Memories

The aim of the current project is to investigate the impact of 3mg of oral estradiol valerate on the formation of intrusive memories after analog trauma.

A well-established stress-film paradigm will be used to induce intrusive symptoms in healthy participants. In a double-blind placebo-controlled study, the impact of oral estradiol on intrusive symptoms during and immediately after exposure to a trauma film will be examined. The primary hypothesis is that exogenous oral estradiol will decrease the number of intrusive memories recorded in the four days following experimental trauma compared with placebo controls.

This project will contribute to the current understanding of intrusive memory formation in PTSD and may guide the development of future pharmacological preventions.

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Key information

Conditions

PTSD Intrusion Intrusion Symptom Intrusive Memories Mental Disorders Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Traumatic Trauma Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders Wounds and Injuries

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Berlin, State of Berlin, 12203, Germany

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Tolou Maslahati, M.Sc.

CONTACT

[email protected]

+49 30 450 517567

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • healthy female volunteers
  • German on B1 level

Exclusion criteria

  • former or present disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM-5)
  • any physical illnesses
  • any medication intake (except oral contraceptive)
  • history of traumatic experience, e.g. history of sexual abuse or rape
  • pregnancy or lactation period
  • intake of oral contraceptives
  • follicular phase of menstrual cycle

Treatment and study plan

estradiol valerate

Drug

3mg of Estradiol Valerate pills, administred orally

Placebo

Drug

Plabo pill

Primary outcomes

  1. Change of Intrusive Memories in the following four days after the intervention

    Time frame: four consecutive days

    Influence of estradiol on the development of intrusive memories measured with an intrusion diary

Secondary outcomes

  1. Noradrenergic System (measured with salivary alpha-amylase - u/ml)

    Time frame: Day 1

    Influence of noradrenergic system measured with salivary alpha-amylase on the development of intrusive memories

  2. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (measured with salivary cortisol - nmol/L)

    Time frame: Day 1

    Influence of HPA-axis measured with salivary cortisol on the development of intrusive memories

  3. Estradiol and Progesterone

    Time frame: Day 1

    Influence of salivary endogenous estradiol and progesterone on the development of intrusive memories.

  4. heart rate variability

    Time frame: Day 1

    Influence of heart rate variability on the development of intrusive memories

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Tolou Maslahati, M.Sc.

CONTACT

[email protected]

0049 30 450 517 567

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Charite University, Berlin, Germany

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Estradiol on the Acquisition and Consolidation of Trauma-Associated Memories

Acronym: EstraMemo

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2028
First posted
Feb 19, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 19, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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