Study of Feasibility and Safety of MDMA-Assisted Group Therapy for the Treatment of PTSD in Veterans (MPG1)
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The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Know the risks and potential benefits of clinical studies and talk to your health care provider before participating. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05173831 |
Recruitment Status :
Not yet recruiting
First Posted : December 30, 2021
Last Update Posted : March 2, 2023
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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PTSD | Drug: MDMA Behavioral: Therapy | Phase 2 |
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 18 participants |
Allocation: | N/A |
Intervention Model: | Single Group Assignment |
Intervention Model Description: | Open-label study examining safety and effects of two sessions of MDMA-assisted therapy followed by four integrative sessions after each of the two MDMA sessions |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | An Open-Label Feasibility and Safety Study of MDMA-Assisted Group Therapy for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans |
Estimated Study Start Date : | April 2023 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | June 2024 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | June 2024 |
Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Experimental: Two MDMA-assisted Therapy Sessions
Two Experimental MDMA-assisted Therapy Sessions, and four Integrative Sessions following each Experimental Sessions.
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Drug: MDMA
Initial dose of 120 mg MDMA HCL and optional supplemental dose of 40 or 60 mg MDMA HCL at 1.5 to 2 hours after first dose
Other Name: 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine Behavioral: Therapy Standardized non-directive psychotherapy performed by therapist team |
- Change in CAPS-5 Total Severity Score from Baseline to Visit 16 [ Time Frame: Baseline - 3 months from enrollment ]The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-IV (CAPS-IV) is a clinician administered and scored assessment of PTSD symptoms via structured interview based upon PTSD diagnosis in DSM-IV. It contains symptom subscales, a CAPS-IV total severity score, and a diagnostic score. The total severity score is a sum of symptom frequency and intensity scores for the subscales B (re-experiencing), C (avoidance) and D (hypervigilance) and ranges from 0 to 136, with higher scores indicating greater severity of PTSD symptoms. The dichotomous diagnostic score is based upon meeting each of five criteria, including index trauma, presence or absence of Criteria B, C, D described above, duration of symptoms and distress and is scored as meeting versus not meeting criteria for diagnosis.
- Change in Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) from Baseline to Visit 16 [ Time Frame: Baseline - 3 months from enrollment ]Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) total score, a measure of clinician-rated functional impairment. The items indicate degree of impairment in the domains of work/school, social life, and home life, with response options based on an eleven-point scale (0=not at all to 10=extremely), and five verbal tags (not at all, mildly, moderately, markedly, extremely).

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Are at least 18 years old.
- Are fluent in speaking and reading the predominantly used or recognized language of the study site.
- Are able to swallow pills.
- Agree to have study visits recorded, including Experimental Sessions, Independent Rater assessments, and non-drug psychotherapy sessions.
- Must provide a contact (relative, spouse, close friend or other caregiver) who is willing and able to be reached by the investigators in the event of a participant becoming suicidal or unreachable.
- Must agree to inform the investigators within 48 hours of any medical conditions and procedures.
- If of childbearing potential, must have a negative pregnancy test at study entry and prior to each Experimental Session, and must agree to use adequate birth control through 10 days after the last Experimental Session.
- Must not participate in any other interventional clinical trials during the duration of the study.
- Must be willing to remain overnight at the study site after each Experimental Session and be driven home after, and commit to medication dosing, therapy, and study procedures.
- At baseline, have moderate PTSD diagnosis.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Are not able to give adequate informed consent.
- Have uncontrolled hypertension.
- Have a marked baseline prolongation of QT/QTc interval (e.g., repeated demonstration of a QTc interval >450 milliseconds [ms] corrected by Bazett's formula).
- Have a history of additional risk factors for Torsade de pointes (e.g., heart failure, hypokalemia, family history of Long QT Syndrome).
- Have evidence or history of significant medical disorders.
- Have symptomatic liver disease.
- Have history of hyponatremia or hyperthermia.
- Weigh less than 48 kilograms (kg).
- Are pregnant or nursing, or are of childbearing potential and are not practicing an effective means of birth control.
- Are abusing illegal drugs.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT05173831
Contact: Philip Bouleh | 503-329-4980 | Philip.Bouleh@va.gov |
Responsible Party: | Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT05173831 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
MPG1 |
First Posted: | December 30, 2021 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | March 2, 2023 |
Last Verified: | February 2023 |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | Yes |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine Hallucinogens Physiological Effects of Drugs Psychotropic Drugs Serotonin Agents Neurotransmitter Agents |
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors Membrane Transport Modulators Adrenergic Agents |