1
|
Cho Y, Iliff JJ, Lim MM, Raskind M, Peskind E. A case of prazosin in treatment of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. J Clin Sleep Med 2024; 20:319-321. [PMID: 37882640 PMCID: PMC10835776 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.10888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is characterized by dream-enactment behaviors that emerge during a loss of REM sleep atonia. Untreated RBD carries risks for physical injury from falls or other traumatic events during dream enactment as well as risk of injury to the bed partner. Currently, melatonin and clonazepam are the mainstay pharmacological therapies for RBD. However, therapeutic response to these medications is variable. While older adults are most vulnerable to RBD, they are also particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of benzodiazepines, including increased risk of falls, cognitive impairment, and increased risk of Alzheimer disease. Prazosin is a centrally active alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist often prescribed for trauma nightmares characterized by REM sleep without atonia in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder. We report a case of successful RBD management with prazosin in a patient in whom high-dose melatonin was ineffective. Although there was no observable reduction in dream-enactment behaviors with high-dose melatonin, the possibility of a synergistic effect of prazosin combined with melatonin cannot be ruled out. This case report supports further evaluation of prazosin as a potential therapeutic for RBD. CITATION Cho Y, Iliff JJ, Lim MM, Raskind M, Peskind E. A case of prazosin in treatment of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20(2):319-321.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yeilim Cho
- VISN 20 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jeffrey J. Iliff
- VISN 20 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Miranda M. Lim
- VA Portland Health Care System, Research Service, Portland, Oregon
- Oregon Health and Science University, Neurology, Portland, Oregon
- Oregon Health and Science University, Behavioral Neuroscience, Portland, Oregon
- Oregon Health and Science University, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Portland, Oregon
- Oregon Health and Science University, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Portland, Oregon
| | - Murray Raskind
- VISN 20 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Elaine Peskind
- VISN 20 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Norred MA, Zuschlag ZD, Hamner MB. A Neuroanatomic and Pathophysiologic Framework for Novel Pharmacological Approaches to the Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Drugs 2024; 84:149-164. [PMID: 38413493 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-023-01983-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating disorder inflicting high degrees of symptomatic and socioeconomic burdens. The development of PTSD results from a cascade of events with contributions from multiple processes and the underlying pathophysiology is complex, involving neurotransmitters, neurocircuitry, and neuroanatomical pathways. Presently, only two medications are US FDA-approved for the treatment of PTSD, both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). However, the complex underlying pathophysiology suggests a number of alternative pathways and mechanisms that may be targets for potential drug development. Indeed, investigations and drug development are proceeding in a number of these alternative, non-serotonergic pathways in an effort to improve the management of PTSD. In this manuscript, the authors introduce novel and emerging treatments for PTSD, including drugs in various stages of development and clinical testing (BI 1358894, BNC-210, PRAX-114, JZP-150, LU AG06466, NYV-783, PH-94B, SRX246, TNX-102), established agents and known compounds being investigated for their utility in PTSD (brexpiprazole, cannabidiol, doxasoin, ganaxolone, intranasal neuropeptide Y, intranasal oxytocin, tianeptine oxalate, verucerfont), and emerging psychedelic interventions (ketamine, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy), with an aim to examine and integrate these agents into the underlying pathophysiological frameworks of trauma-related disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Norred
- Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences Service, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Zachary D Zuschlag
- Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences Service, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Mark B Hamner
- Behavioral Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, 109 Bee Street, Charleston, SC, 29401, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Naderifar N, Roohi E, Sharifi A, Jaafari N, Hashemian F. Therapeutic Effects of Tamsulosin in Nightmare Disorder: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over, Pilot Study. Drug Res (Stuttg) 2024; 74:53-59. [PMID: 38237637 DOI: 10.1055/a-2226-3604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Nightmare disorder is associated with functional impairment, distress, and low quality of life; however, studies on pharmacotherapy of this debilitating disorder yielded mixed results. Prazosin, a non-selective α1 blocker is reported to be effective in treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder-related nightmares. We aimed at investigating therapeutic effects of tamsulosin which has higher affinity for blocking α1A and α1D adrenoceptors in treatment of nightmare disorder. A randomized, double blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled pilot study was conducted. Patients were randomly assigned to receive Tamsulosin 0.4 mg once daily or placebo for period of four weeks. Following a 2-week wash-out period, they were crossed over to the other group and received drug or placebo for duration of 4 additional weeks. Nightmare frequency and intensity measurements were carried out using Disturbing Dreams and Nightmares Severity Index (DDNSI). Blood pressure measurements were also performed. According to per protocol analysis, mean DDNSI scores decreased following administration of tamsulosin and a statistical trend towards significance was reported (p=0.065, d=0.236). Results of intention to treat analysis showed significant difference in DDNSI scores after drug use (p=0.030, d=0.651). Additionally, DDNSI scores dropped significantly following placebo use. However, intention to treat analysis showed no statistically significant difference pre and post placebo period (0.064, d=0.040). Tamsulosin may be effective in treatment of nightmare disorder. However, further larger clinical trials are recommended to clarify the effectiveness of tamsulosin and α1 subtypes in pharmacotherapy of nightmares.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Negin Naderifar
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elnaz Roohi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ali Sharifi
- Iranian Scientific Society of Clinical Hypnosis, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nemat Jaafari
- Université de Poitiers, Unité de recherche clinique centre Hospitalier Henri Laborit, CeRCA CNRS7295, Poitiers, France
| | - Farshad Hashemian
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zitoun N, Campbell MK, Matsui D, Garcia-Bournissen F. Prospective evaluation of pregnancy outcomes after gestational exposure to prazosin. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2023; 89:3324-3329. [PMID: 37323115 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.15829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Prazosin is an antihypertensive medication which can be used to help with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Little data is currently available on its safety in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess the fetal and pregnancy safety associated with prazosin exposures in early pregnancy. METHODS Subjects were 11 patients who took prazosin during pregnancy and were counselled at the FRAME clinic in London Health Sciences Centre (Ontario, Canada) between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2021. Data on their other exposures and pregnancy outcomes were collected from medical records and through telephone questionnaires. RESULTS It was found that 6/11 (54.5%) subjects did not report any adverse outcomes and experienced uneventful pregnancies. There were two miscarriages. Birthweights were within the normal range for the remaining nine pregnancies. Adverse events reported were consistent with background population expectation, including: one postpartum haemorrhage, one case of preeclampsia, one preterm birth, two NICU admissions, and two caesarean sections. CONCLUSIONS For these 11 subjects, pregnancy outcomes after exposure to prazosin were consistent with typical outcomes from unexposed pregnancies. More data are needed to conclude that prazosin is safe for use in pregnant subjects. However, the lack of adverse effects above baseline is reassuring to future patients who may be unintentionally exposed to prazosin while pregnant. Therefore, this study contributes valuable data towards monitoring safety of prazosin in pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Zitoun
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - M Karen Campbell
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Doreen Matsui
- Department of Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Facundo Garcia-Bournissen
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Butris N, Tang E, He D, Wang DX, Chung F. Sleep disruption in older surgical patients and its important implications. Int Anesthesiol Clin 2023; 61:47-54. [PMID: 36727706 DOI: 10.1097/aia.0000000000000391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nina Butris
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Evan Tang
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David He
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Mount Sinai Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dong-Xin Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Frances Chung
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Richards A, Woodward SH, Baquirin DPG, Yack LM, Metzler TJ, Udupa NS, Staggs EJ, Neylan TC. The sleep physiology of nightmares in veterans with psychological trauma: Evaluation of a dominant model using participant-applied electroencephalography in the home environment. J Sleep Res 2023; 32:e13639. [PMID: 35644523 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.13639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Nightmares are a core feature of posttraumatic stress disorder, are poorly understood, and are associated with serious negative outcomes. Their biology has been difficult to study, and the feasibility of capturing them in the naturalistic home environment has been poor. This said, the published research and dominant scientific model has focused on nightmares as a manifestation of noradrenergic hyperarousal during rapid eye movement sleep. The current study used at-home, participant-applied devices to measure nightmare physiology in posttraumatic stress disorder treatment-seeking veterans, by examining heartrate measures as indicators of noradrenergic tone, and sleep-stage characteristics and stability in the sleep preceding time-stamped nightmare awakenings. Our data indicate the high feasibility of participant-administered, at-home measurement, and showed an unexpected stability of -rapid eye movement sleep along with no evidence of heartrate elevations in sleep preceding nightmare awakenings. Altogether, these data highlight new opportunities for the study of nightmares while questioning the sufficiency of dominant models, which to date are largely theoretically based.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Richards
- University of California San Francisco, and San Francisco VA Healthcare System, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Steven H Woodward
- University of California San Francisco, and San Francisco VA Healthcare System, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - David Paul G Baquirin
- University of California San Francisco, and San Francisco VA Healthcare System, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Leslie M Yack
- University of California San Francisco, and San Francisco VA Healthcare System, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Thomas J Metzler
- University of California San Francisco, and San Francisco VA Healthcare System, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Nikhila S Udupa
- University of California San Francisco, and San Francisco VA Healthcare System, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Emily J Staggs
- University of California San Francisco, and San Francisco VA Healthcare System, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Thomas C Neylan
- University of California San Francisco, and San Francisco VA Healthcare System, San Francisco, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Skeie-Larsen M, Stave R, Grønli J, Bjorvatn B, Wilhelmsen-Langeland A, Zandi A, Pallesen S. The Effects of Pharmacological Treatment of Nightmares: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trials. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:777. [PMID: 36613097 PMCID: PMC9820008 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Nightmares are highly prevalent and distressing for the sufferer, which underlines the need for well-documented treatments. A comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis of the effects of different pharmacological placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials, covering the period up to 1 December 2022, was performed. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsychInfo, Cinahl, and Google Scholar, resulting in the identification of 1762 articles, of which 14 met the inclusion criteria: pharmacological intervention of nightmares, based on a placebo-controlled randomized trial published in a European language, reporting outcomes either/or in terms of nightmare frequency, nightmare distress, or nightmare intensity, and reporting sufficient information enabling calculation of effect sizes. Most studies involved the effect of the α1-adrenergic antagonist prazosin in samples of veterans or soldiers suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder. Other medications used were hydroxyzine, clonazepam, cyproheptadine, nabilone, and doxazosin. The vast majority of studies were conducted in the USA. The studies comprised a total of 830 participants. The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale was the most frequently used outcome measure. The results showed an overall effect size of Hedges' g = 0.50 (0.42 after adjustment for publication bias). The synthetic cannabinoid nabilone (one study) showed the highest effect size (g = 1.86), followed by the histamine H1-antagonist hydroxyzine (one study), and prazosin (10 studies), with effect sizes of g = 1.17 and g = 0.54, respectively. Findings and limitations are discussed, and recommendations for future studies are provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebekka Stave
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, 5007 Bergen, Norway
| | - Janne Grønli
- Department of Biological and Medial Psychology, University of Bergen, 5007 Bergen, Norway
| | - Bjørn Bjorvatn
- Norwegian Competence Center for Sleep Disorders, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, 5007 Bergen, Norway
| | - Ane Wilhelmsen-Langeland
- Bjørgvin District Psychiatric Center, Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Amin Zandi
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417935840, Iran
| | - Ståle Pallesen
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, 5007 Bergen, Norway
- Norwegian Competence Center for Sleep Disorders, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bajor LA, Balsara C, Osser DN. An evidence-based approach to psychopharmacology for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - 2022 update. Psychiatry Res 2022; 317:114840. [PMID: 36162349 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Algorithms for posttraumatic stress disorder were published by this team in 1999 and 2011. Developments since then warrant revision. New studies and review articles from January 2011 to November 2021 were identified via PubMed and analyzed for evidence supporting changes. Following consideration of variations required by special patient populations, treatment of sleep impairments remains as the first recommended step. Nightmares and non-nightmare disturbed awakenings are best addressed with the anti-adrenergic agent prazosin, with doxazosin and clonidine as alternatives. First choices for difficulty initiating sleep include hydroxyzine and trazodone. If significant non-sleep PTSD symptoms remain, an SSRI should be tried, followed by a second SSRI or venlafaxine as a third step. Second generation antipsychotics can be considered, particularly for SSRI augmentation when PTSD-associated psychotic symptoms are present, with the caveat that positive evidence is limited and side effects are considerable. Anti-adrenergic agents can also be considered for general PTSD symptoms if not already tried, though evidence for daytime use lags that available for sleep. Regarding other pharmacological and procedural options, e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation, cannabinoids, ketamine, psychedelics, and stellate ganglion block, evidence does not yet support firm inclusion in the algorithm. An interactive version of this work can be found at www.psychopharm.mobi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Bajor
- James A. Haley VA Hospital, Tampa, FL, United States; University of South Florida Morsani School of Medicine, Tampa, FL, United States; VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard South Shore Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Brockton, MA, United States.
| | - Charmi Balsara
- HCA Healthcare East Florida Division GME/HCA FL Aventura Hospital, United States
| | - David N Osser
- VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard South Shore Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Brockton, MA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Meinhausen C, Prather AA, Sumner JA. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep, and cardiovascular disease risk: A mechanism-focused narrative review. Health Psychol 2022; 41:663-673. [PMID: 35007121 PMCID: PMC9271141 DOI: 10.1037/hea0001143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Growing longitudinal research has demonstrated that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) precedes and predicts the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and a number of physiological (e.g., dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and autonomic nervous system, chronic systemic inflammation) and behavioral (e.g., physical inactivity, smoking, poor diet) factors might underlie this association. In this narrative review, we focus on sleep as a modifiable risk factor linking PTSD with CVD. METHOD We summarize the evidence for sleep disturbance after trauma exposure and the potential cardiotoxic effects of poor sleep, with an emphasis on mechanisms. In addition, we review the literature that has examined sleep in the context of the PTSD-CVD risk relation. RESULTS Although sleep disturbance is a hallmark symptom of PTSD and a well-established risk factor for the development of CVD, the role of sleep in the association between PTSD and CVD has been largely unexamined in the extant literature. However, such work has the potential to improve our understanding of mechanisms of risk and inform intervention efforts to offset elevated CVD risk after trauma. CONCLUSIONS We outline several recommendations for future research and behavioral medicine models in order to help define and address the role of sleep behavior in the development of CVD among trauma-exposed individuals with PTSD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Meinhausen
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Aric A. Prather
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer A. Sumner
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Swift KM, Thomas CL, Balkin TJ, Lowery-Gionta EG, Matson LM. Acute sleep interventions as an avenue for treatment of trauma-associated disorders. J Clin Sleep Med 2022; 18:2291-2312. [PMID: 35678060 PMCID: PMC9435330 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.10074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Scientific evidence that acute, posttrauma sleep disturbances (eg, nightmares and insomnia) can contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of trauma-induced disorders is compelling. Sleep disturbances precipitating from trauma are uniquely predictive of daytime posttrauma symptom occurrence and severity, as well as subsequent onset of mental health disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Conversely, adequate sleep during the acute posttrauma period is associated with reduced likelihood of adverse mental health outcomes. These findings, which are broadly consistent with what is known about the role of sleep in the regulation of emotion, suggest that the acute posttrauma period constitutes a "window of opportunity" during which treatment of sleep disturbances may be especially effective for preventing or mitigating progression of aberrant psychophysiological processes. At this point, the weight of the scientific evidence supporting this possibility warrants initiation of clinical trials to confirm the benefits of targeted prophylactic sleep enhancement, and to establish treatment guidelines as appropriate. CITATION Swift KM, Thomas CL, Balkin TJ, Lowery-Gionta EG, Matson LM. Acute sleep interventions as an avenue for treatment of trauma-associated disorders. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(9):2291-2312.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M. Swift
- Medical Readiness Systems Biology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Connie L. Thomas
- Department of Sleep Medicine, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
- Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Thomas J. Balkin
- Behavioral Biology Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Emily G. Lowery-Gionta
- Behavioral Biology Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Liana M. Matson
- Behavioral Biology Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Fisher KA, Kiziah H, Villalba Alvarez CL. Twice Daily Prazosin and Valproic Acid in the Treatment of Flashbacks in PTSD. Case Rep Psychiatry 2022; 2022:1223292. [PMID: 35966042 PMCID: PMC9365617 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1223292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating stress disorder occurring in the context of a traumatic event and is characterized by intrusive and avoidance symptoms, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and arousal and reactivity changes. Despite its representation throughout literature, the pathophysiology of PTSD remains incompletely understood, thus contributing to broad, variable, and at times, experimental treatment options. The authors present the first documented case of the rapid and successful management of PTSD using valproic acid and twice daily dosing of prazosin aimed at targeting symptoms of hyperarousal and both daily and nightly intrusive symptoms of flashbacks and nightmares, respectively. The authors also discuss postulations of the underlying mechanisms of action responsible for such symptom alleviation. Further investigation is needed to expand upon our knowledge of the use of such agents in the treatment of PTSD to improve upon existing clinical guidelines, especially in the acute setting, thus providing better overall prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Heidi Kiziah
- Nova Southeastern University, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Richardson C, Swartz A, Forsberg M. Prazosin dosed 3 times a day to treat flashbacks related to PTSD: A case report. Ment Health Clin 2022; 12:267-269. [PMID: 36071742 PMCID: PMC9405631 DOI: 10.9740/mhc.2022.08.267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Prazosin is an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist widely known by mental health providers for its off-label use for nightmares in patients with PTSD. Prazosin is lipophilic and crosses the blood-brain barrier to antagonize alpha-1 receptors in the central nervous system, potentially reducing autonomic arousal caused by PTSD. There have been numerous case reports describing the reduction of nightmares and daytime flashbacks due to PTSD with prazosin dosed at night and during the day, respectively. This case report illustrates the resolution of flashbacks related to chronic PTSD with prazosin dosed 3 times a day. As the half-life of prazosin is only 2 to 3 hours, even a twice daily dosing regimen may lead to breakthrough symptoms between doses. This case proposes a unique dosing strategy for prazosin and need for further research utilizing multiple daily doses of prazosin in the treatment of PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexander Swartz
- 2 OMS3 Medical Student, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey
| | - Martin Forsberg
- 3 Geriatric Psychiatrist, Associate Professor, Department of Geriatrics, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Pharmacological Management of Nightmares Associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. CNS Drugs 2022; 36:721-737. [PMID: 35688992 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-022-00929-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be a chronic and disabling condition. Post-traumatic nightmares (PTNs) form a core component of PTSD and are highly prevalent in this patient population. Nightmares in PTSD have been associated with significant distress, functional impairment, poor health outcomes, and decreased quality of life. Nightmares in PTSD are also an independent risk factor for suicide. Nightmare cessation can lead to improved quality of life, fewer hospital admissions, lower healthcare costs, and reduced all-cause mortality. Effective treatment of nightmares is critical and often leads to improvement of other PTSD symptomatology. However, approved pharmacological agents for the treatment of PTSD have modest effects on sleep and nightmares, and may cause adverse effects. No pharmacological agent has been approved specifically for the treatment of PTNs, but multiple agents have been studied. This current narrative review aimed to critically appraise proven as well as novel pharmacological agents used in the treatment of PTNs. Evidence of varying quality exists for the use of prazosin, doxazosin, clonidine, tricyclic antidepressants, trazodone, mirtazapine, atypical antipsychotics (especially risperidone, olanzapine and quetiapine), gabapentin, topiramate, and cyproheptadine. Evidence does not support the use of venlafaxine, β-blockers, benzodiazepines, or sedative hypnotics. Novel agents such as ramelteon, cannabinoids, ketamine, psychedelic agents, and trihexyphenidyl have shown promising results. Large randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to evaluate the use of these novel agents. Future research directions are identified to optimize the treatment of nightmares in patients with PTSD.
Collapse
|
14
|
Zhang Y, Ren R, Vitiello MV, Yang L, Zhang H, Shi Y, Sanford LD, Tang X. Efficacy and acceptability of psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions for trauma-related nightmares: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 139:104717. [PMID: 35661755 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
This network meta-analysis compares the efficacy and acceptability of all published psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions for trauma-related nightmares (TRN) in adults. The analysis included data from 29 randomized clinical trials involving 14 psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions and involved 2214 trauma survivors. Prazosin and image rehearsal therapy (IRT) were found to be the two effective interventions for TRN. Other interventions such as risperidone, paroxetine, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), CBT-I+IRT, prolonged exposure (PE), and IRT+PE, did not show significantly greater efficacy compared with control conditions. The rates of all-cause discontinuations were comparable among majority of the interventions and did not show significant differences compared with control conditions. Prazosin and IRT should be considered as the initial choice of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions for TRN. The efficacy of other pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions remains to be demonstrated. Future guidelines and daily clinical decision making on the choice of interventions for TRN should consider these findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Zhang
- Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mental Health Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rong Ren
- Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mental Health Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Michael V Vitiello
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-6560, USA
| | - Linghui Yang
- Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mental Health Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Haipeng Zhang
- Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mental Health Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuan Shi
- Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mental Health Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Larry D Sanford
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Xiangdong Tang
- Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mental Health Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Mellman TA, Birku K, Sandhu I, Lavela P, Kobayashi I. Evaluation of suvorexant for trauma-related insomnia. Sleep 2022; 45:zsac068. [PMID: 35554590 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsac068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES Effective pharmacological treatments for sleep disturbance related to trauma with and without co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are needed. There is debate regarding what effects on rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) would be beneficial. Suvorexant is the first dual orexin receptor antagonist (DORA) approved for the treatment of insomnia. In contrast to most psychotropic agents, DORAs can enhance REMS while reducing arousal. We evaluated 6 weeks of suvorexant treatment for trauma-related insomnia in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with clinical and polysomnographic evaluation. METHODS Participants with insomnia that followed a traumatic event were recruited from the community. Representation of current, past-only, and never having met criteria for PTSD was similar and most participants had experienced trauma-related nightmares. Participants were randomly assigned to receive suvorexant or placebo, initially at 10 mg and increased to 20 mg after 1 week, if tolerated. Polysomnography was obtained for screening, at baseline, and at 2 weeks of treatment. RESULTS The thirty-seven evaluable participants had significant improvement of PTSD and insomnia symptoms, however, there were no significant interactions with treatment condition. Medication was well tolerated with only one dropout being related to side effects. Within the suvorexant group increased REM segment duration correlated with concurrent PTSD symptom reduction. Nightmares remitted in all of the participants who received suvorexant and all but one of those receiving placebo. CONCLUSIONS A robust placebo response undermined detecting a medication effect. Further evaluation of DORAs for trauma-related insomnia, as well as factors contributing to placebo-response, are warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Mellman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kiya Birku
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ishaan Sandhu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Pewu Lavela
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ihori Kobayashi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Ressler KJ, Berretta S, Bolshakov VY, Rosso IM, Meloni EG, Rauch SL, Carlezon WA. Post-traumatic stress disorder: clinical and translational neuroscience from cells to circuits. Nat Rev Neurol 2022; 18:273-288. [PMID: 35352034 PMCID: PMC9682920 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-022-00635-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a maladaptive and debilitating psychiatric disorder, characterized by re-experiencing, avoidance, negative emotions and thoughts, and hyperarousal in the months and years following exposure to severe trauma. PTSD has a prevalence of approximately 6-8% in the general population, although this can increase to 25% among groups who have experienced severe psychological trauma, such as combat veterans, refugees and victims of assault. The risk of developing PTSD in the aftermath of severe trauma is determined by multiple factors, including genetics - at least 30-40% of the risk of PTSD is heritable - and past history, for example, prior adult and childhood trauma. Many of the primary symptoms of PTSD, including hyperarousal and sleep dysregulation, are increasingly understood through translational neuroscience. In addition, a large amount of evidence suggests that PTSD can be viewed, at least in part, as a disorder that involves dysregulation of normal fear processes. The neural circuitry underlying fear and threat-related behaviour and learning in mammals, including the amygdala-hippocampus-medial prefrontal cortex circuit, is among the most well-understood in behavioural neuroscience. Furthermore, the study of threat-responding and its underlying circuitry has led to rapid progress in understanding learning and memory processes. By combining molecular-genetic approaches with a translational, mechanistic knowledge of fear circuitry, transformational advances in the conceptual framework, diagnosis and treatment of PTSD are possible. In this Review, we describe the clinical features and current treatments for PTSD, examine the neurobiology of symptom domains, highlight genomic advances and discuss translational approaches to understanding mechanisms and identifying new treatments and interventions for this devastating syndrome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kerry J Ressler
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Sabina Berretta
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vadim Y Bolshakov
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Isabelle M Rosso
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Edward G Meloni
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Scott L Rauch
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - William A Carlezon
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Clouston SAP, Hall CB, Kritikos M, Bennett DA, DeKosky S, Edwards J, Finch C, Kreisl WC, Mielke M, Peskind ER, Raskind M, Richards M, Sloan RP, Spiro A, Vasdev N, Brackbill R, Farfel M, Horton M, Lowe S, Lucchini RG, Prezant D, Reibman J, Rosen R, Seil K, Zeig-Owens R, Deri Y, Diminich ED, Fausto BA, Gandy S, Sano M, Bromet EJ, Luft BJ. Cognitive impairment and World Trade Centre-related exposures. Nat Rev Neurol 2022; 18:103-116. [PMID: 34795448 PMCID: PMC8938977 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-021-00576-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
On 11 September 2001 the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York was attacked by terrorists, causing the collapse of multiple buildings including the iconic 110-story 'Twin Towers'. Thousands of people died that day from the collapse of the buildings, fires, falling from the buildings, falling debris, or other related accidents. Survivors of the attacks, those who worked in search and rescue during and after the buildings collapsed, and those working in recovery and clean-up operations were exposed to severe psychological stressors. Concurrently, these 'WTC-affected' individuals breathed and ingested a mixture of organic and particulate neurotoxins and pro-inflammogens generated as a result of the attack and building collapse. Twenty years later, researchers have documented neurocognitive and motor dysfunctions that resemble the typical features of neurodegenerative disease in some WTC responders at midlife. Cortical atrophy, which usually manifests later in life, has also been observed in this population. Evidence indicates that neurocognitive symptoms and corresponding brain atrophy are associated with both physical exposures at the WTC and chronic post-traumatic stress disorder, including regularly re-experiencing traumatic memories of the events while awake or during sleep. Despite these findings, little is understood about the long-term effects of these physical and mental exposures on the brain health of WTC-affected individuals, and the potential for neurocognitive disorders. Here, we review the existing evidence concerning neurological outcomes in WTC-affected individuals, with the aim of contextualizing this research for policymakers, researchers and clinicians and educating WTC-affected individuals and their friends and families. We conclude by providing a rationale and recommendations for monitoring the neurological health of WTC-affected individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean A P Clouston
- Program in Public Health, Department of Family, Population, and Preventive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
| | - Charles B Hall
- Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Minos Kritikos
- Program in Public Health, Department of Family, Population, and Preventive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College, Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Steven DeKosky
- Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute and Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jerri Edwards
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Caleb Finch
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - William C Kreisl
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michelle Mielke
- Specialized Center of Research Excellence on Sex Differences, Department of Neurology, Department of Epidemiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Elaine R Peskind
- Veteran's Association VISN 20 Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veteran's Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Murray Raskind
- Veteran's Association VISN 20 Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veteran's Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Marcus Richards
- Medical Research Council Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, Population Health Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Richard P Sloan
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Avron Spiro
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center (MAVERIC), Department of Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Neil Vasdev
- Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry, Brain Health Imaging Center, Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Brackbill
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mark Farfel
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY, USA
| | - Megan Horton
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sandra Lowe
- The World Trade Center Mental Health Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Roberto G Lucchini
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - David Prezant
- World Trade Center Health Program, Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Joan Reibman
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca Rosen
- World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, Department of Psychiatry, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kacie Seil
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel Zeig-Owens
- World Trade Center Health Program, Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Yael Deri
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Erica D Diminich
- Program in Public Health, Department of Family, Population, and Preventive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Bernadette A Fausto
- Center for Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Sam Gandy
- Research and Development Service, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Mount Sinai Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mary Sano
- Research and Development Service, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Mount Sinai Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Evelyn J Bromet
- Department of Psychiatry, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin J Luft
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Edinoff AN, Hegefeld TL, Petersen M, Patterson JC, Yossi C, Slizewski J, Osumi A, Cornett EM, Kaye A, Kaye JS, Javalkar V, Viswanath O, Urits I, Kaye AD. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:701348. [PMID: 35711594 PMCID: PMC9193572 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.701348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that causes significant functional impairment and is related to altered stress response and reinforced learned fear behavior. PTSD has been found to impact three functional networks in the brain: default mode, executive control, and salience. The executive control network includes the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and lateral PPC. The salience network involves the anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula, and amygdala. This latter network has been found to have increased functional connectivity in PTSD. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a technique used in treating PTSD and involves stimulating specific portions of the brain through electromagnetic induction. Currently, high-frequency TMS applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is approved for use in treating major depressive disorder (MDD) in patients who have failed at least one medication trial. In current studies, high-frequency stimulation has been shown to be more effective in PTSD rating scales posttreatment than low-frequency stimulation. The most common side effect is headache and scalp pain treated by mild analgesics. Seizures are a rare side effect and are usually due to predisposing factors. Studies have been done to assess the overall efficacy of TMS. However, results have been conflicting, and sample sizes were small. More research should be done with larger sample sizes to test the efficacy of TMS in the treatment of PTSD. Overall, TMS is a relatively safe treatment. Currently, the only FDA- approved to treat refractory depression, but with the potential to treat many other conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amber N Edinoff
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Tanner L Hegefeld
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Murray Petersen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - James C Patterson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | | | - Jacob Slizewski
- Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Ashley Osumi
- Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Elyse M Cornett
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Adam Kaye
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, United States
| | - Jessica S Kaye
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, United States
| | - Vijayakumar Javalkar
- Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Omar Viswanath
- College of Medicine-Phoenix, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, United States.,Department of Anesthesiology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, United States.,Valley Anesthesiology and Pain Consultants-Envision Physician Services, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Ivan Urits
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States.,Southcoast Health, Southcoast Physicians Group Pain Medicine, Wareham, MA, United States
| | - Alan D Kaye
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Krahn LE, Arand DL, Avidan AY, Davila DG, DeBassio WA, Ruoff CM, Harrod CG. Recommended protocols for the Multiple Sleep Latency Test and Maintenance of Wakefulness Test in adults: guidance from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. J Clin Sleep Med 2021; 17:2489-2498. [PMID: 34423768 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.9620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
This article updates the American Academy of Sleep Medicine protocols for the administration of the Multiple Sleep Latency Test and the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine commissioned a task force of clinical experts in sleep medicine to review published literature on the performance of these tests since the publication of the 2005 American Academy of Sleep Medicine practice parameter paper. Although no evidence-based changes to the protocols were warranted, the task force made several changes based on consensus. These changes included guidance on patient preparation, medication and substance use, sleep before testing, test scheduling, optimum test conditions, and documentation. This article provides guidance to providers who order and administer the Multiple Sleep Latency Test and the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test. CITATION Krahn LE, Arand DL, Avidan AY, et al. Recommended protocols for the Multiple Sleep Latency Test and the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test in adults: guidance from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. J Clin Sleep Med. 2021;17(12):2489-2498.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Donna L Arand
- Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio
| | - Alon Y Avidan
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - David G Davila
- Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Onton J, Le LD. Amount of < 1Hz deep sleep correlates with melatonin dose in military veterans with PTSD. Neurobiol Sleep Circadian Rhythms 2021; 11:100072. [PMID: 34368501 PMCID: PMC8326800 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbscr.2021.100072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder often complain of non-restful sleep, which further exacerbates their symptoms. Our previous study showed a deficit in Lo Deep sleep, or slow oscillations, in the PTSD population compared to healthy control sleepers. Because Lo Deep sleep is likely a stage when the brain eliminates protein debris, it is critical to find the cause and effective therapeutics to reverse Lo Deep deficiency. The current study aims to replicate and extend this finding by examining several physiological and medication factors that may be responsible for the Lo Deep deficiency. We recorded overnight sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) via a 2-channel headband device on 69 veterans in a residential treatment facility. Dried urine samples were collected at 4 time points during one day to measure melatonin, cortisol, norepinephrine and other factors. EEG data were transformed into frequency power and submitted to an automated sleep scoring algorithm. The scoring corresponds to clear spectral patterns in the overnight spectrogram but does not align exactly with traditional visual scoring stages. As expected, veterans showed decreased Lo Deep (activity < 1 Hz) and more Hi Deep sleep (1-3 Hz activity) than healthy controls, replicating our previous study. Multiple linear regressions showed that melatonin dose and morning urine melatonin correlated with more Lo Deep sleep. Buspirone dose also correlated with more Lo Deep, but only 6 subjects were taking buspirone. Also replicating the findings from our last study were independent reductions of REM sleep with prazosin and sertraline. Other findings included decreased Lo and increased Hi Deep sleep with higher caffeine dose, and less Hi Deep percentage with higher testosterone. Finally, evening cortisol levels correlated with a higher percentage of Wake after sleep onset. These results confirm Lo Deep deficiency in this PTSD population and suggests melatonin as a possible therapeutic to reverse Lo Deep deficiency. This is a critical first step to establishing a systematic sleep assessment and treatment program in this and potentially other populations to prevent future brain pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie Onton
- Institute for Neural Computation, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, #0523, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Lu D. Le
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, ASPIRE Center, 2121 San Diego Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92110, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Maher AR, Apaydin EA, Hilton L, Chen C, Troxel W, Hall O, Azhar G, Larkin J, Motala A, Hempel S. Sleep management in posttraumatic stress disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Med 2021; 87:203-219. [PMID: 34634573 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2021.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can lead to many negative secondary outcomes for patients, including sleep disturbances. The objective of this meta-analysis is (1) to evaluate the effect of interventions for adults with PTSD on sleep outcomes, PTSD outcomes, and adverse events, and (2) to evaluate the differential effectiveness of interventions aiming to improve sleep compared to those that do not. METHODS Nine databases were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in PTSD from January 1980 to October 2019. Two independent reviewers screened 7176 records, assessed 2139 full-text articles, and included 89 studies in 155 publications for this review. Sleep, PTSD, and adverse event outcomes were abstracted and meta-analyses were performed using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman method for random effects. RESULTS Interventions improved sleep outcomes (standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.56; confidence interval [CI] -0.75 to -0.37; 49 RCTs) and PTSD symptoms (SMD -0.48; CI -0.67 to -0.29; 44 RCTs) across studies. Adverse events were not related to interventions overall (RR 1.17; CI 0.91 to 1.49; 15 RCTs). Interventions targeting sleep improved sleep outcomes more than interventions that did not target sleep (p = 0.03). Improvement in PTSD symptoms did not differ between intervention types. CONCLUSIONS Interventions for patients with PTSD significantly improve sleep outcomes, especially interventions that specifically target sleep. Treatments for adults with PTSD directed towards sleep improvement may benefit patients who suffer from both ailments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Ruelaz Maher
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Evidence-based Practice Center, Health Care, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Eric A Apaydin
- Southern California Evidence-based Practice Center, Health Care, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, USA; Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation & Policy, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Lara Hilton
- Southern California Evidence-based Practice Center, Health Care, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, USA; Center for Work & Family Life, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christine Chen
- Southern California Evidence-based Practice Center, Health Care, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Wendy Troxel
- Southern California Evidence-based Practice Center, Health Care, RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Owen Hall
- Southern California Evidence-based Practice Center, Health Care, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Gulrez Azhar
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jody Larkin
- Southern California Evidence-based Practice Center, Health Care, RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Aneesa Motala
- Southern California Evidence-based Practice Center, Health Care, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, USA; Southern California Evidence Review Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Susanne Hempel
- Southern California Evidence-based Practice Center, Health Care, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, USA; Southern California Evidence Review Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Diokpa C, Backe K, Pinsonnault J. A retrospective chart review to determine the safety and efficacy of prazosin for nightmares related to posttraumatic stress disorder in veterans. Hum Psychopharmacol 2021; 36:e2785. [PMID: 33751692 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of prazosin for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related nightmares in veterans and to analyze subgroup benefit/risk to guide prescribing. METHODS Patients with a previous prescription for prazosin between 1 June 2007 and 30 June 2017 were collected from the institution's electronic records. Efficacy (including nightmare frequency, and clinical PTSD rating scales) and safety (including blood pressure) data were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS Eighty-four patients were included in the analysis. The primary outcome, item 2 of the PTSD checklist, decreased from 4.00 to 3.19 (on a scale of 1-5), which was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Nightmare frequency was found to have a statistically significant decrease from four to two times per week on average (p = 0.00002, 95% CI 2.36 [1.39-3.33]). Of the patients who reported the greatest response (n = 23), 91% (n = 21) were on an antidepressant and 61% (n = 14) were receiving concurrent psychotherapy. This is compared to 90% (n = 76) and 44% (n = 37) of the total cohort, respectively. No significant differences were found in blood pressure or suicidal ideation (p = 0.58 and p = 0.22, respectively). CONCLUSION Prazosin may be considered as an adjunct option to decrease nightmare frequency in patients already receiving first-line treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chinedu Diokpa
- North Texas VA Health Care System, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Texas Tech University School of Pharmacy, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Kristen Backe
- North Texas VA Health Care System, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Eichelman B, Dorava A. Open Outcome Study of Prazosin in a Prison Female Population With Traumatic Dreams. JOURNAL OF CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE 2021; 27:238-244. [PMID: 34374567 DOI: 10.1089/jchc.19.07.0062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate patient and clinician assessment of the efficacy of prazosin in the treatment of recurring traumatic dreams in a female prison population. Inmates with recurring traumatic dreams were queried regarding trauma dream frequency, dream intensity, return to sleep postdream, and the quality of their sleep. They were asked to rate this after prazosin treatment and retrospectively at the time they began treatment. Clinicians were asked to evaluate the severity of patient illness before and after prazosin treatment and global improvement after prazosin treatment. Modal ratings for dream frequency dropped during the course of prazosin treatment, modal intensity dropped, modal awake time after the trauma dreams dropped, and normal sleep increased. This study suggests that prazosin is a highly effective treatment for female inmates with recurring traumatic dreams.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Burr Eichelman
- Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Bureau of Health Services, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Anne Dorava
- Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Bureau of Health Services, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prazosin has been an accepted treatment for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who experience sleep disturbances, including nightmares. Results of a recent large randomized control trial did not find benefit of prazosin vs placebo in improving such outcomes. A meta-analysis that includes this most recent trial was conducted to examine the pooled effect of prazosin vs placebo on sleep disturbances and overall PTSD symptoms in patients with PTSD. METHODS A systematic review of the published literature on trials comparing prazosin vs placebo for improvement of overall PTSD scores, nightmares, and sleep quality was conducted. Hedges' g standardized mean differences (SMD) between prazosin and placebo were calculated for each outcome across studies. RESULTS Six randomized placebo-controlled studies representing 429 patients were included in the analysis, including two studies with a crossover design. Results showed prazosin significantly improved overall PTSD scores (SMD = -0.31; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: -0.62, -0.01), nightmares (SMD = -0.75; 95% CI: -1.24, -0.27), and sleep quality (SMD = -0.57; 95% CI: -1.02, -0.13). In the largest trial, prazosin showed a reduction in clinical outcome measures similar to past studies, but a relatively large placebo effect size, particularly for nightmares, contributed to no treatment differences. CONCLUSIONS Despite the results of a recent, large randomized study, pooled effect estimates show that prazosin has a statistically significant benefit on PTSD symptoms and sleep disturbances. Limitations that should be considered include heterogeneity of study design and study populations as well as the small number of studies conducted and included in this meta-analysis.
Collapse
|
25
|
Paiva HS, Filho IJZ, Cais CFDS. Using Prazosin to Treat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Associations: A Systematic Review. Psychiatry Investig 2021; 18:365-372. [PMID: 33979949 PMCID: PMC8169333 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2020.0411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A central adrenergic hyperactivation is described in the neurobiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with probable variable symptomatic impact. Few studies have evaluated using the alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist prazosin for such symptoms; however, given the likely pathophysiology involved, this drug may play an important role in the pharmacological approach to PTSD. METHODS This study assessed articles already published on the use of prazosin through a systematic review along a timeline in view of the symptomatic target of difficult access by standardized treatments. The impact of using this medication for the general symptoms of PTSD is also discussed. Several databases were searched for articles in the literature on the use of prazosin to treat PTSD. RESULTS A total of 168 articles were found containing search terms in the title or abstract. Overall, 85 articles met the criteria described, and 48 studies were explored to conduct the present systematic review. Most articles showed some improvement after prazosin administration, especially in relation to sleep symptoms (nightmares and night waking). Only one article demonstrated no improvement after the use of this drug. More randomized studies are needed. CONCLUSION Several clinical studies demonstrated the relevant role of prazosin for treating PTSD symptoms. Prazosin is an affordable and cost-effective pharmacological option compared to other drugs used to treat PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henrique Soares Paiva
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Sleep parameters improvement in PTSD soldiers after symptoms remission. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8873. [PMID: 33893376 PMCID: PMC8065125 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88337-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is still unclear whether symptoms remission through EMDR therapy is associated with a beneficial effect on one of the PTSD symptoms, sleep disturbance. Our objective was therefore to study sleep parameters before and after symptom remission in soldiers with PTSD. The control group consisted of 20 healthy active duty military men who slept in a sleep lab with standard polysomnography (PSG) on two sessions separated by one month. The patient group consisted of 17 active duty military with PTSD who underwent EMDR therapy. PSG-recorded sleep was assessed 1 week before the EMDR therapy began and 1 week after PTSD remission. We found that the increased REMs density after remission was positively correlated with a greater decrease of symptoms. Also, the number of EMDR sessions required to reach remission was correlated with intra-sleep awakenings before treatment. These results confirm the improvement of some sleep parameters in PTSD after symptoms remission in a soldier's population and provide a possible predictor of treatment success. Further experiments will be required to establish whether this effect is specific to the EMDR therapy.
Collapse
|
27
|
Hendrickson RC, Millard SP, Pagulayan KF, Peskind ER, Raskind MA. The Relative Effects of Prazosin on Individual PTSD Symptoms: Evidence for Pathophysiologically-Related Clustering. CHRONIC STRESS 2021; 5:2470547020979780. [PMID: 33623856 PMCID: PMC7876758 DOI: 10.1177/2470547020979780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background The α1-adrenoreceptor antagonist prazosin has in many but not all studies been found to be effective for PTSD associated nightmares, hyperarousal symptoms, and total symptom severity. The particular efficacy of prazosin for nightmares and hyperarousal symptoms suggests there may be a subset of PTSD symptoms that are more tightly associated with an α1-adrenoreceptor mediated noradrenergic mechanism, but cross traditional diagnostic symptom clusters. However, the efficacy of prazosin for individual symptoms other than nightmares and sleep disruption has not previously been examined. Methods In a post hoc reanalysis of a previously published, randomized controlled trial of twice daily prazosin for PTSD, we examined the relative effect of prazosin on individual items of the CAPS for DSM-IV, and tested whether prazosin responsiveness predicted the partial correlation of the changes in symptom intensity at the level of individual subjects. Results were not adjusted for multiple comparisons. Results Prazosin showed the largest effect for distressing dreams, anhedonia, difficulty falling or staying asleep, difficulty concentrating, and hypervigilance. These items were also (a) of higher baseline severity in the underlying population, and (b) more related in how they fluctuated at the level of individual subjects. Covariance analysis did not support a clear cutoff between highly prazosin responsive items and those showing a smaller, not statistically significant response. Conclusions In this data set, twice daily prazosin substantially reduced not only nightmares and sleep disruption, but the majority of hyperarousal symptoms, with some evidence of efficacy for avoidance symptoms. The relationship of baseline symptom distribution to which symptoms showed significant response to prazosin reinforces the possibility that differences in a clinical trial's participant populations may significantly influence trial outcome. The pattern of symptom endorsement at the level of individual subjects was consistent with prazosin-responsive items sharing a common pathophysiologic mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C Hendrickson
- VISN 20 Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Steven P Millard
- VISN 20 Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kathleen F Pagulayan
- VISN 20 Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elaine R Peskind
- VISN 20 Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Murray A Raskind
- VISN 20 Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Brownlow JA, Miller KE, Gehrman PR. Treatment of Sleep Comorbidities in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 7:301-316. [PMID: 33552844 DOI: 10.1007/s40501-020-00222-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of the review Sleep disturbances, insomnia and recurrent nightmares in particular, are among the most frequently endorsed symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present review provides a summary of the prevalence estimates and methodological challenges presented by sleep disturbances in PTSD, highlights the recent evidence for empirically supported psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions for comorbid sleep disturbances implicated in PTSD, and provides a summary of recent findings on integrated and sequential treatment approaches to ameliorate comorbid sleep disturbances in PTSD. Recent Findings Insomnia, recurrent nightmares, and other sleep disorders are commonly endorsed among individuals with PTSD; however, several methodological challenges contribute to the varying prevalence estimates. Targeted sleep-focused therapeutic interventions can improve sleep symptoms and mitigate daytime PTSD symptoms. Recently, attention has focused on the role of integrated and sequential approaches, suggesting that comprehensively treating sleep disturbances in PTSD is likely to require novel treatment modalities. Summary Evidence is growing on the development, course, and treatment of comorbid sleep disturbances in PTSD. Further, interventions targeting sleep disturbances in PTSD show promise in reducing symptoms. However, longitudinal investigations and additional rigorous controlled trials with diverse populations are needed to identify key features associated with treatment response in order to alleviate symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janeese A Brownlow
- Department of Psychology, College of Health & Behavioral Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, Delaware, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Katherine E Miller
- Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Philip R Gehrman
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Hoskins MD, Bridges J, Sinnerton R, Nakamura A, Underwood JFG, Slater A, Lee MRD, Clarke L, Lewis C, Roberts NP, Bisson JI. Pharmacological therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of monotherapy, augmentation and head-to-head approaches. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2021; 12:1802920. [PMID: 34992738 PMCID: PMC8725683 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2020.1802920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Pharmacological approaches are widely used for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) despite uncertainty over efficacy. Objectives: To determine the efficacy of all pharmacological approaches, including monotherapy, augmentation and head-to-head approaches (drug versus drug, drug versus psychotherapy), in reducing PTSD symptom severity. Method: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials were undertaken; 115 studies were included. Results: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were found to be statistically superior to placebo in reduction of PTSD symptoms but the effect size was small (standardised mean difference -0.28, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.17). For individual monotherapy agents compared to placebo in two or more studies, we found small statistically significant evidence for the antidepressants fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine and the antipsychotic quetiapine. For pharmacological augmentation, we found small statistically significant evidence for prazosin and risperidone. Conclusions: Some medications have a small positive effect on reducing PTSD symptom severity and can be considered as potential monotherapy treatments; these include fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine and quetiapine. Two medications, prazosin and risperidone, also have a small positive effect when used to augment pharmacological monotherapy. There was no evidence of superiority for one intervention over another in the small number of head-to-head comparison studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathew D. Hoskins
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Jack Bridges
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Robert Sinnerton
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Anna Nakamura
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Jack F. G. Underwood
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Alan Slater
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Matthew R. D. Lee
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Liam Clarke
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Catrin Lewis
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Neil P. Roberts
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Jonathan I. Bisson
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Abstract
Abstract. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by intrusive re-experiencing of emotional memories of a traumatic event. Such memories are formed after exposure to trauma in the context of a cascading stress response including high levels of emotional arousal and stress hormone release. Sleep could be a key modulator of early memory formation and re-consolidation processes. Initial studies have investigated this association in this early time period, that is, hours and days after trauma exposure, and its role in modulating trauma memories and PTSD. The time is thus ripe to integrate findings from these studies. The current review consolidated evidence from five experimental and seven naturalistic studies on the association between trauma, sleep, and the development of intrusive emotional memories and PTSD, respectively. Together, the studies point to a potential protective role of sleep after trauma for the development of intrusive memories and PTSD. Findings regarding key sleep architecture features are more mixed and require additional investigation. The findings are important for prevention and intervention science.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasmine Azza
- Division of Experimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Sleep & Health Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ines Wilhelm
- Division of Experimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Birgit Kleim
- Division of Experimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Sleep & Health Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Jaffee MS, Ashbrook LH, Pavlova MK. Should Neurologists Be Concerned With REM Sleep Quantity? JAMA Neurol 2020; 77:1209-1210. [DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2020.2122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Liza H. Ashbrook
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Milena K. Pavlova
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Hendrickson RC, Thomas RG, Schork NJ, Raskind MA. Optimizing Aggregated N-Of-1 Trial Designs for Predictive Biomarker Validation: Statistical Methods and Theoretical Findings. Front Digit Health 2020; 2:13. [PMID: 34713026 PMCID: PMC8521797 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2020.00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Significance: Parallel-group randomized controlled trials (PG-RCTs) are the gold standard for detecting differences in mean improvement across treatment conditions. However, PG-RCTs provide limited information about individuals, making them poorly optimized for quantifying the relationship of a biomarker measured at baseline with treatment response. In N-of-1 trials, an individual subject moves between treatment conditions to determine their specific response to each treatment. Aggregated N-of-1 trials analyze a cohort of such participants, and can be designed to optimize both statistical power and clinical or logistical constraints, such as allowing all participants to begin with an open-label stabilization phase to facilitate the enrollment of more acutely symptomatic participants. Here, we describe a set of statistical simulation studies comparing the power of four different trial designs to detect a relationship between a predictive biomarker measured at baseline and subjects' specific response to the PTSD pharmacotherapeutic agent prazosin. Methods: Data was simulated from 4 trial designs: (1) open-label; (2) open-label + blinded discontinuation; (3) traditional crossover; and (4) open label + blinded discontinuation + brief crossover (the N-of-1 design). Designs were matched in length and assessments. The primary outcome, analyzed with a linear mixed effects model, was whether a statistically significant association between biomarker value and response to prazosin was detected with 5% Type I error. Simulations were repeated 1,000 times to determine power and bias, with varied parameters. Results: Trial designs 2 & 4 had substantially higher power with fewer subjects than open label design. Trial design 4 also had higher power than trial design 2. Trial design 4 had slightly lower power than the traditional crossover design, although power declined much more rapidly as carryover was introduced. Conclusions: These results suggest that an aggregated N-of-1 trial design beginning with an open label titration phase may provide superior power over open label or open label and blinded discontinuation designs, and similar power to a traditional crossover design, in detecting an association between a predictive biomarker and the clinical response to the PTSD pharmacotherapeutic prazosin. This is achieved while allowing all participants to spend the first 8 weeks of the trial on open-label active treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C Hendrickson
- VISN 20 Northwest Network Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Ronald G Thomas
- Department of Biostatistics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Nicholas J Schork
- Quantitative Medicine and Systems Biology, The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Phoenix, AZ, United States.,The Joint City of Hope/TGen IMPACT Center (NJS), City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Murray A Raskind
- VISN 20 Northwest Network Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Van Someren EJW. Brain mechanisms of insomnia: new perspectives on causes and consequences. Physiol Rev 2020; 101:995-1046. [PMID: 32790576 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00046.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
While insomnia is the second most common mental disorder, progress in our understanding of underlying neurobiological mechanisms has been limited. The present review addresses the definition and prevalence of insomnia and explores its subjective and objective characteristics across the 24-hour day. Subsequently, the review extensively addresses how the vulnerability to develop insomnia is affected by genetic variants, early life stress, major life events, and brain structure and function. Further supported by the clear mental health risks conveyed by insomnia, the integrated findings suggest that the vulnerability to develop insomnia could rather be found in brain circuits regulating emotion and arousal than in circuits involved in circadian and homeostatic sleep regulation. Finally, a testable model is presented. The model proposes that in people with a vulnerability to develop insomnia, the locus coeruleus is more sensitive to-or receives more input from-the salience network and related circuits, even during rapid eye movement sleep, when it should normally be sound asleep. This vulnerability may ignite a downward spiral of insufficient overnight adaptation to distress, resulting in accumulating hyperarousal, which, in turn, impedes restful sleep and moreover increases the risk of other mental health adversity. Sensitized brain circuits are likely to be subjectively experienced as "sleeping with one eye open". The proposed model opens up the possibility for novel intervention studies and animal studies, thus accelerating the ignition of a neuroscience of insomnia, which is direly needed for better treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eus J W Van Someren
- Department of Sleep and Cognition, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; and Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Saxe GN, Ma S, Morales LJ, Galatzer-Levy IR, Aliferis C, Marmar CR. Computational causal discovery for post-traumatic stress in police officers. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:233. [PMID: 32778671 PMCID: PMC7417525 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-00910-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
This article reports on a study aimed to elucidate the complex etiology of post-traumatic stress (PTS) in a longitudinal cohort of police officers, by applying rigorous computational causal discovery (CCD) methods with observational data. An existing observational data set was used, which comprised a sample of 207 police officers who were recruited upon entry to police academy training. Participants were evaluated on a comprehensive set of clinical, self-report, genetic, neuroendocrine and physiological measures at baseline during academy training and then were re-evaluated at 12 months after training was completed. A data-processing pipeline-the Protocol for Computational Causal Discovery in Psychiatry (PCCDP)-was applied to this data set to determine a causal model for PTS severity. A causal model of 146 variables and 345 bivariate relations was discovered. This model revealed 5 direct causes and 83 causal pathways (of four steps or less) to PTS at 12 months of police service. Direct causes included single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for the Histidine Decarboxylase (HDC) and Mineralocorticoid Receptor (MR) genes, acoustic startle in the context of low perceived threat during training, peritraumatic distress to incident exposure during first year of service, and general symptom severity during training at 1 year of service. The application of CCD methods can determine variables and pathways related to the complex etiology of PTS in a cohort of police officers. This knowledge may inform new approaches to treatment and prevention of critical incident related PTS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Glenn N. Saxe
- grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | - Sisi Ma
- grid.17635.360000000419368657Institute of Health Informatics, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Leah J. Morales
- grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | - Isaac R. Galatzer-Levy
- grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY USA
| | - Constantin Aliferis
- grid.17635.360000000419368657Institute of Health Informatics, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Charles R. Marmar
- grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Prakash J, Chatterjee K, Srivastava K, Chauhan VS, Chail A. Role of various lifestyle and behavioral strategies in positive mental health across a preventive to therapeutic continuum. Ind Psychiatry J 2020; 29:185-190. [PMID: 34158700 PMCID: PMC8188916 DOI: 10.4103/ipj.ipj_126_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing interest in lifestyle and behavioral strategies not only in prevention but also in the management of psychiatric morbidity. Available literature in this direction was accessed, and the role of various lifestyle and behavioral factors was explored. There is strong evidence of the role of good sleep, nutritious diet, exercise, social connectedness, enhanced self-esteem, sense of purpose in life, resilience, mindfulness, and environmental mastery in the promotion of mental well-being and prevention and management of psychiatric disorders. There is a significant scope of lifestyle and behavioral intervention in ensuring positive mental health spanning from preventive to therapeutic dimension.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Prakash
- Department of Psychiatry, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - K Chatterjee
- Department of Psychiatry, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - K Srivastava
- Department of Psychiatry, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - V S Chauhan
- Department of Psychiatry, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - A Chail
- Department of Psychiatry, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Pallesen S, Hamre HS, Lang N, Bjorvatn B. Doxazosin for the treatment of nightmare disorder: A diary-based case study. SAGE Open Med Case Rep 2020; 8:2050313X20936079. [PMID: 32647580 PMCID: PMC7325538 DOI: 10.1177/2050313x20936079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The α1-adrenergic antagonist prazosin has showed good effect against posttraumatic stress disorder–related nightmares in several randomized controlled trials. The α1-adrenergic antagonist doxazosin, which has a longer half-live than prazosin, has received far less attention in the treatment of such nightmares. Here, we report a case of a patient suffering from severe nightmares following an erroneous medical administration of adrenaline (causing severe physiological hyper-activation) who was treated with doxazosin. Over a period of 280 days, the patient kept a nightmare diary and took 0, 4, or 8 mg doxazosin. The analyses showed that 8 mg doxazosin (55.2% nightmare-free nights) worked better (odds ratio = 28.2; 95% confidence interval = 3.7–213.9) compared to nights without doxazosin (4.3% nightmare-free nights). Except dizziness, which was not regarded as particularly bothersome by the patient, doxazosin was well tolerated. It is concluded that doxazosin may be indicated as a pharmacological treatment for patients suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder–related nightmares.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ståle Pallesen
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Norwegian Competence Center for Sleep Disorders, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Ståle Pallesen, Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Christies gate 12, Bergen 5015, Norway.
| | | | - Nina Lang
- Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bjørn Bjorvatn
- Norwegian Competence Center for Sleep Disorders, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Yücel DE, van Emmerik AA, Souama C, Lancee J. Comparative efficacy of imagery rehearsal therapy and prazosin in the treatment of trauma-related nightmares in adults: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Sleep Med Rev 2020; 50:101248. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2019.101248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
|
38
|
Zhang Y, Ren R, Sanford LD, Tang X. Commentary on Yücel DE et al. Downgrading recommendation level of prazosin for treating trauma-related nightmares: Should decision be based on a single study? Sleep Med Rev 2020; 51:101285. [PMID: 32234660 DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2020.101285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Zhang
- Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mental Health Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rong Ren
- Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mental Health Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Larry D Sanford
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, USA.
| | - Xiangdong Tang
- Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mental Health Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Ferrafiat V, Soleimani M, Chaumette B, Martinez A, Guilé JM, Keeshin B, Gerardin P. Use of Prazosin for Pediatric Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder With Nightmares and/or Sleep Disorder: Case Series of 18 Patients Prospectively Assessed. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:724. [PMID: 32774309 PMCID: PMC7388897 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Few studies have investigated pharmacologic treatment for pediatric post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Prazosin, an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist, has been studied and demonstrated to be efficacious in an adult population for PTSD related sleep disturbances; however, in the pediatric population, data is limited to case reports and retrospective case series. This study prospectively assessed the safety and effects of Prazosin on PTSD symptoms in a pediatric sample. METHODS Since 2016, 18 patients with PSTD under the age of 15 admitted in a child and adolescent psychiatric unit were challenged with prazosin as part of a treatment protocol. PTSD symptoms and adverse effects were collected weekly and prospectively assessed each month with validated clinical scales. All data were retrospectively analyzed. This treatment protocol and the evaluation of clinical data were approved by our Ethical committee for research on preexisting data at the University Teaching Hospital of Rouen. RESULTS Among the 18 patients (10 girls and 8 boys), 13 (72%) had experienced sexual abuse and 5 (28%) family violence. After 1 month of treatment with a mean prazosin dose of 2.16 ( ± 0.6) mg/day, the CGI-S score significantly decreased from 5.3 ( ± 0.9) to 2.9 ( ± 0.7) (improvement of 43%). The mean total UCLA-PTSD-RI score significantly decreased 11.4 points ( ± 5.4) during the first week and 37.9 ( ± 16) during the first month, leading to an improvement of 20% and 67%, respectively. The improvement was significant irrespective of trauma exposure or sex. No adverse effects were reported except for one patient (hypotension). CONCLUSION Consistent with prior case reports and retrospective reviews, our retrospective analysis of data prospectively and systematically assessed among 18 patients suggests that prazosin is well-tolerated and associated with improvement in symptoms for pediatric PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Ferrafiat
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit, URHEA, CHSR Sotteville les Rouen, Rouen, France.,Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Department, CHU Charles Nicolle, Rouen, France
| | - Maryam Soleimani
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit, URHEA, CHSR Sotteville les Rouen, Rouen, France.,Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Department, CHU Charles Nicolle, Rouen, France
| | - Boris Chaumette
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Audrey Martinez
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Department, CHU Charles Nicolle, Rouen, France
| | - Jean-Marc Guilé
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services, Amiens University Hospital, Picardie Jules Verne University, Amiens, France.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,INSERM U1105 Research Group for Analysis of the Multimodal Cerebral Function, University of Picardie-Jules Verne (UPJV), Amiens, France
| | - Brooks Keeshin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Priscille Gerardin
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit, URHEA, CHSR Sotteville les Rouen, Rouen, France.,Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Department, CHU Charles Nicolle, Rouen, France
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Krystal AD. Sleep therapeutics and neuropsychiatric illness. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:166-175. [PMID: 31376815 PMCID: PMC6879486 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-019-0474-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in sleep are extremely common in patients with neuropsychiatric illness. In addition, sleep disorders such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, and circadian rhythm disorders commonly occur at a rate greater than the general population in neuropsychiatric conditions. Historically, sleep problems have been viewed as symptoms of associated neuropsychiatric disorders. However, there is increasing evidence suggesting a complex inter-relationship with possible bidirectional causality. The inter-relatedness of these conditions represents an opportunity for understanding mechanisms and improving clinical treatment. To the extent that sleep problems affect neuropsychiatric conditions, it may be possible to address sleep problems and have a positive impact on the course of neuropsychiatric illnesses. Further, some treatments for sleep disorders have direct effects on neuropsychiatric illnesses that may be unrelated to their effects on sleep disorders. Similarly, neuropsychiatric conditions and their treatments can affect sleep and sleep disorders. This article reviews available evidence on the effects of therapies for sleep disorders on neuropsychiatric conditions and also secondarily considers the impacts of therapies for neuropsychiatric conditions on sleep. Primary goals of this review are to identify gaps in current research, to determine the extent to which the cross-therapeutic effects of these treatments help to elucidate therapeutic or pathological mechanisms, and to assist clinicians in optimizing therapeutic choice in patients with sleep disorders and neuropsychiatric conditions.
Collapse
|
41
|
Repantis D, Wermuth K, Tsamitros N, Danker-Hopfe H, Bublitz JC, Kühn S, Dresler M. REM sleep in acutely traumatized individuals and interventions for the secondary prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2020; 11:1740492. [PMID: 32341766 PMCID: PMC7170365 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2020.1740492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence supports a close link between REM sleep and the consolidation of emotionally toned memories such as traumatic experiences. In order to investigate the role of sleep for the development of symptoms related to traumatic experiences, beyond experimental models in the laboratory, sleep of acutely traumatised individuals may be examined on the first night after trauma. This might allow us to identify EEG variables predicting the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and guide the way to novel sleep interventions to prevent PTSD. Based on our experience, patients' acceptance of polysomnography in the first hours after treatment in an emergency room poses obstacles to such a strategy. Wearable, self-applicable sleep recorders might be an option for the investigation of sleep in the aftermath of trauma. They would considerably decrease the perceived burden for patients and thus increase the likelihood of successful patient recruitment. As one potential sleep intervention, sleep deprivation directly after trauma has been suggested to reduce the consolidation of traumatic memories and hence act as a secondary preventive measure. However, experimental data from sleep deprivation studies in healthy volunteers with the trauma film paradigm have been inconclusive regarding the beneficial or detrimental effects of sleep on traumatic memory processing. Depending on further insights into the role of sleep in traumatic memory consolidation through observational and experimental studies, several options for therapeutic sleep interventions are conceivable: besides behavioural sleep deprivation, selective REM sleep suppression or enhancement by a pharmacological intervention into the serotonergic, noradrenergic or cholinergic systems might provide novel therapeutic options. While REM-modulating drugs have been used with some success for the prevention of PTSD after trauma, they have never been tried before the first night of sleep. In conclusion, more experimental and observational research is needed before sleep interventions are performed in actual trauma victims.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris Repantis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Lise Meitner Group for Environmental Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Wermuth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nikolaos Tsamitros
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heidi Danker-Hopfe
- Competence Center of Sleep Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Christoph Bublitz
- Faculty of Law, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,Centre for Interdisciplinary Research (ZiF), Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Simone Kühn
- Lise Meitner Group for Environmental Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Dresler
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Assessment and Treatment of Sleep in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Concussion 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-65384-8.00007-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
|
43
|
Richards A, Kanady JC, Neylan TC. Sleep disturbance in PTSD and other anxiety-related disorders: an updated review of clinical features, physiological characteristics, and psychological and neurobiological mechanisms. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:55-73. [PMID: 31443103 PMCID: PMC6879567 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-019-0486-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The current report provides an updated review of sleep disturbance in posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety-related disorders. First, this review provides a summary description of the unique and overlapping clinical characteristics and physiological features of sleep disturbance in specific DSM anxiety-related disorders. Second, this review presents evidence of a bidirectional relationship between sleep disturbance and anxiety-related disorders, and provides a model to explain this relationship by integrating research on psychological and neurocognitive processes with a current understanding of neurobiological pathways. A heuristic neurobiological framework for understanding the bidirectional relationship between abnormalities in sleep and anxiety-related brain pathways is presented. Directions for future research are suggested.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Richards
- The San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- The University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Jennifer C Kanady
- The San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA
- The University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Thomas C Neylan
- The San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA
- The University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Abstract
Current clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder offer varying recommendations regarding the use of pharmacotherapy. Many direct head-to-head comparisons of pharmacotherapy are lacking, and recommendations are based on meta-analyses and small trials. While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are considered first-line pharmacotherapy, clear distinctions do not exist when considering other classes of psychotropic medications. Ultimately, when selecting an appropriate medication for a patient diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder, the clinician needs to consider the current symptomatology being experienced, comorbid conditions, and evidence for efficacy of specific treatments prior to initiating medications.
Collapse
|
45
|
A Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Clinical Trial of Prazosin for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder. J Addict Med 2019; 12:339-345. [PMID: 29664896 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The noradrenergic system plays an important role in the pathophysiology of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Medications in this class may reduce drinking. Our aims were to investigate this in a unique sample of individuals with AUD. METHODS Thirty-six individuals with AUD were randomized to treatment with prazosin, an alpha-1 noradrenergic antagonist, or placebo, for 6 weeks (target daily dose 16 mg). Hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine the effect of treatment group on rate of change in primary (drinks per week [DPW]) and several secondary outcome measures. RESULTS Prazosin did not significantly affect rate of reduction in alcohol use in the intent to treat sample (n = 36) compared with placebo, but did significantly increase the rate of reduction in DPW in an optimal treatment exposure subgroup (beta = -0.3; P = 0.01; event rate ratio 0.74; confidence interval 0.59, 0.93; n = 27). Poor adherence and tolerability may have contributed to null effects. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) moderated the effects of treatment group on rate of reduction in drinks per drinking day, supporting previous work in doxazosin, another alpha-1 antagonist. Specifically, prazosin was associated with greater rates of reduction in drinking compared with placebo in individuals with high but not low DBP. CONCLUSIONS Our findings do not support the clinical utility of prazosin for all treatment-seeking AUD, but post hoc analyses indicate that it might have some efficacy in individuals who can tolerate it. Further work exploring the clinical utility of DBP as a treatment matching variable, and defining optimal values using sensitivity and specificity analyses, is warranted.
Collapse
|
46
|
Mascarel P, Poirot I, Lardinois M, Debien C, Vaiva G. [Sleep disorders and their treatment in post-traumatic stress disorder]. Presse Med 2019; 48:1051-1058. [PMID: 31473024 DOI: 10.1016/j.lpm.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Subjects suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder present sleeping disorders like a chronic insomnia, traumatic nightmares, but also less expected, sleep breathing disorders. Sleep problems are a factor of development and maintenance of PTSD, but also a factor of resistance to treatment. After a therapy focused on PTSD, they represent frequent residual symptoms. It is necessary to couple, with the usual management of PTSD, targeted approaches for sleep problems. These targeted approaches allow an improvement of the nocturnal properties but also diurnal specific symptoms of PTSD. Stakes around primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of PTSD emerge around these sleep disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Mascarel
- CHU de Lille, secteur des urgences psychiatriques, pôle de l'urgence, 59037 Lille, France.
| | - Isabelle Poirot
- CHU de Lille, service de psychiatrie adulte, médecine légale et médecine en milieu pénitentiaire, pôle de psychiatrie, 59037 Lille, France
| | - Marine Lardinois
- Centre hospitalier de Versailles, service de psychiatrie adulte, 78150 Le Chesnay, France
| | - Christophe Debien
- CHU de Lille, service de psychiatrie adulte, médecine légale et médecine en milieu pénitentiaire, pôle de psychiatrie, 59037 Lille, France; Centre national de ressources et de résilience pour le psychotraumatisme (CN2R), 59000 Lille, France
| | - Guillaume Vaiva
- CHU de Lille, service de psychiatrie adulte, médecine légale et médecine en milieu pénitentiaire, pôle de psychiatrie, 59037 Lille, France; Centre national de ressources et de résilience pour le psychotraumatisme (CN2R), 59000 Lille, France
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Abstract
Sleep is a behavioral phenomenon conserved among mammals and some invertebrates, yet the biological functions of sleep are still being elucidated. In humans, sleep time becomes shorter, more fragmented, and of poorer quality with advancing age. Epidemiologically, the development of age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease is associated with pronounced sleep disruption, whereas emerging mechanistic studies suggest that sleep disruption may be causally linked to neurodegenerative pathology, suggesting that sleep may represent a key therapeutic target in the prevention of these conditions. In this review, we discuss the physiology of sleep, the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disease, and the current literature supporting the relationship between sleep, aging, and neurodegenerative disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thierno M Bah
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - James Goodman
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Iliff
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
- Veterans Integrated Service Network 20 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Puget Sound Health Care System, Mail Stop 116-MIRECC, 1660 South Columbian Way, Seattle, Washington, 98108, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA.
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Zhang Y, Ren R, Sanford LD, Yang L, Ni Y, Zhou J, Zhang J, Wing YK, Shi J, Lu L, Tang X. The effects of prazosin on sleep disturbances in post-traumatic stress disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Med 2019; 67:225-231. [PMID: 31972510 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2019.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nightmares are a highly prevalent and distressing feature of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous studies have reached mixed conclusions regarding the effects of prazosin on nightmares, sleep quality, and overall PTSD symptoms in patients with PTSD. METHODS MEDLINE, EMBASE, all EBM databases, PsycIFNO, and CINAHL were systematically searched from inception date to October 2018 for randomized clinical trials that included reporting of nightmares, sleep quality or overall PTSD symptoms. The analysis included data from eight trials involving 286 PTSD patients in the prazosin group and 289 PTSD patients in the placebo group. RESULTS In our meta-analysis, prazosin resulted in a statistically significant improvement in nightmares (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -1.91 to -0.36), but was not more beneficial than placebo for overall PTSD symptoms (SMD = -0.45, 95% CI = -0.95 to 0.05) and sleep quality (SMD = -0.44, 95% CI = -1.44 to 0.55). In terms of acceptability, there was no significant difference between the prazosin group and the placebo group with respect to discontinuation for all causes (odds ratio (OR) = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.62-1.62). In conclusion, the use of prazosin was associated with an improvement of nightmare symptoms. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that additional studies are needed before considering downgrading the use of prazosin in the treatment of nightmares in patients with PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Zhang
- Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mental Health Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rong Ren
- Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mental Health Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Larry D Sanford
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA.
| | - Linghui Yang
- Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mental Health Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuenan Ni
- Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mental Health Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Junying Zhou
- Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mental Health Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jihui Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yun-Kwok Wing
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Jie Shi
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Lu
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangdong Tang
- Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mental Health Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Akinnusi M, El Solh AA. Drug treatment strategies for insomnia in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2019; 20:691-699. [PMID: 30794468 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2019.1574745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Insomnia is among the most reported sleep disturbances in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The pervasiveness of this disorder among trauma-inflicted civilians and military personnel has been associated with reduced quality of life, impaired psychosocial functioning including cognitive impairments, negative mood swings, cardiovascular complications, and increased utilization of medical services. AREAS COVERED This review describes the current state of science with respect to the impact of the most dispensed pharmacological interventions for posttraumatic insomnia. At the present, there are no established treatment algorithms for PTSD-related insomnia. Pharmacotherapy offers an alternative treatment modality for patients with PTSD who fail or decline cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Selection of a hypnotic/sedative agent should be based on the patient's history, precipitating and perpetuating factors of insomnia, side effect profile, and potential medication-related interactions. Antipsychotics and benzodiazepines appear ineffective or are associated with significant harm in treating PTSD-related insomnia. EXPERT OPINION In the absence of randomized controlled trials, prescription patterns have been guided by anecdotal reports and expert opinion. Due to the complexity and multifactorial etiology of insomnia in PTSD, clinical investigations should examine available pharmacologic agents in comparative trials or in combination with CBT or complementary therapies to assess both short-term and long-term sleep outcomes in this population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morohunfolu Akinnusi
- a Department of Medicine , StrongTower Behavioral HealthCare , Marietta , GA , USA
| | - Ali A El Solh
- b Department of Medicine , VA Western New York Healthcare System , Buffalo , NY , USA.,c Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine , State University of New York at Buffalo , USA.,d Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health , State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and School of Public Health and Health Professions , USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Manhapra A, Ralevski E, Petrakis IL. Is Pretreatment Blood Pressure a Marker of Prazosin Response in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder With Comorbid Alcohol Use Disorder? Biol Psychiatry 2019; 85:e11-e12. [PMID: 30143236 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Manhapra
- VA Hampton Medical Center, Hampton, Virginia; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
| | - Elizabeth Ralevski
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Ismene L Petrakis
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| |
Collapse
|