Two medications, Sertraline and Nefazadone, are being tested at MUSC as part of a nationwide study to evaluate their effectiveness in decreasing the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

PTSD is characterized by symptoms individuals exhibit after having experienced a traumatic event like a natural disaster, accident or a crime such as rape, robbery, mugging or child abuse. They include intrusive recollections, where the event is replayed over and over in the victim’s mind. Sometimes they dream or have nightmares which disturb sleep throughout the night. They may also feel on edge all the time or become sensitive to hearing loud noises or having people walk up behind them.

Even though from five to 10 percent of individuals in the United States suffer from PTSD, there are no FDA approved medications for its treatment. There is hope for new treatments in the near future, however. Abnormalities in the stress hormone system (ACTH and cortisol), as well as abnormalities in other neurotransmitter systems have been discovered.

Kathleen T. Brady, M.D., Ph.D., with MUSC Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, states the data from the Sertraline trial indicates that the drug has a fairly robust effect in decreasing most of the symptoms of PTSD. An application to the FDA for the use of this drug may be just around the corner. While we do not have access to the data from the Nefazadone trial as yet, because the study is ongoing, it is our clinical impression that this drug also shows much promise for the treatment of this devastating disorder.”

Brady cited a new twist on the research at MUSC which has developed out of an active interest in alcohol and drug abuse. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder commonly co-occurs with alcohol and drug abuse, but the exact relationship between the two is not clear. It is clear, however, that drug and alcohol use can disinhibit individuals, making them the perpetrators of violence and more likely to be carelessly involved in traumatic accidents. Also, people who have been victimized and are suffering from PTSD may turn to alcohol and drugs as a way to self-medicate the symptoms, Brady said.

For more information on PTSD call the MUSC Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at 792-9888.