MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Veterans With Moderate to Severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

This randomized, double-blind, single-site phase II 2-arm study will compare MDMA-assisted therapy with low dose d-amphetamine-assisted therapy to treat PTSD symptoms in veteran participants aged 18 years and older with PTSD of at least moderate severity, as measured by the change in CAPS-5 total severity score. The study will be conducted in up to N=40 participants from the Greater Los Angeles VA randomized with a 1:1 allocation to Group 1: MDMA-assisted therapy or Group 2: low dose d-amphetamine assisted therapy.

For each participant, the study will consist of:

• Screening Period: phone screen, informed consent, eligibility assessment, Screening CAPS-5, and Initial Enrollment of eligible participants.
• Preparatory Period: medication tapering, three Preparatory Sessions, baseline assessments (including Baseline CAPS-5), leading to Enrollment Confirmation.
• Treatment Period: three Experimental Sessions, and three Integrative Sessions following each Experimental Session including CAPS-5 assessments.
• Follow-up Period and Study Termination: Primary Outcome CAPS-5 assessment and Study Termination visit.

Inclusion criteria

• At Screening, meet DSM-5 criteria for current PTSD with a symptom duration of at least 6 months.
• Fluent in speaking and reading the predominantly used or recognized language of the study site (English).
• Must be a veteran enrolled at a VA Healthcare Center in the Greater Los Angeles area.
• Able to swallow pills.
• Agree to have study visits audiovisually recorded, including Experimental Sessions, IR assessments, and non-drug therapy sessions.
• Able to provide a contact (relative, spouse, close friend, or other support person) who is willing and able to be reached by the investigators in the event of the participant becoming unwell or unreachable.
• Able to identify appropriate support person(s) to stay with the participant on the evenings of Experimental Sessions if needed.
• May have well-controlled hypertension that has been successfully treated with anti-hypertensive medicines, if they pass additional screening to rule out underlying cardiovascular disease.
• May have asymptomatic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) that has previously undergone evaluation and treatment as needed.
• Body weight of at least 45 kilograms (kg). Participants with a body weight of 45-48 kg must also have a body mass index (BMI) within the range of 18 to 30 kg/m2. BMI must be within 18 to 32 kg/m2 (inclusive).
• A person able to be pregnant (PABP) must use a highly effective contraceptive method.

Exclusion criteria

• Are not able to give adequate informed consent.
• Have evidence or history of significant medical or psychiatric disorders.
• Are abusing illegal drugs.
• Unable or unwilling to safely taper off prohibited psychiatric medication.
• Current enrollment in any other clinical study involving an investigational study treatment or any other type of medical research, unless approved by the study clinician.