The LOW E2 STUDY- Neuroendocrine Risk Mechanisms for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Women
Abstract
This study will test for effects of estradiol (E2) on PTSD symptoms and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) indicators of stress vulnerability, in naturally-cycling women who are not using hormonal birth control. Enrollment will be targeted to create three groups within two cohorts (early follicular phase and luteal phase):
1. PTSD: Women who meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria for PTSD
2. Trauma-Exposed (TC): Women matched for age and trauma exposure severity but without PTSD
3. Healthy Control (HC): Women matched for age, but without trauma history or psychiatric disorder (self-reported)
Women will be recruited through Grady Trauma Project (GTP), a large longstanding study of civilian trauma and PTSD conducted at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.
Conditions: PTSD, Trauma.
Primary outcome: Amygdala Response to Fearful Faces Stimuli; Amygdala Response to Fear Conditioning Task; Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex (vmPFC) Activation During the Fear Extinction Task.
Enrollment: 127 participants.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a clinical trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 127 participants or records.
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