Three Prospective Case Studies Examining Mifepristone's Efficacy in Patients with Treatment-Resistant PTSD

Despite the availability of various treatment approaches for patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), some patients do not respond to these therapies, and novel treatment approaches are needed. This study investigated the efficacy of mifepristone, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, in treatment-resistant PTSD patients. Three patients with PTSD who were resistant to standard psychological and pharmacological treatments were prescribed mifepristone (600–1,200 mg/day) for 1 week. A baseline-controlled single-case design was used, involving a 2-week baseline phase (no intervention), a 1-week intervention phase (mifepristone), and a 2-week postintervention phase.

 

The primary outcome measure, self-reported PTSD symptom severity (PCL-5), was assessed daily, with participants providing their own control condition. Two of the three patients experienced a significant reduction in PTSD symptom severity after the intervention phase and no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. These positive results were maintained during long-term follow-up. These findings support the potential effectiveness of mifepristone in the treatment of patients with treatment-resistant PTSD. However, our findings must be interpreted with caution, and further studies with larger sample sizes and more rigorous designs are necessary to confirm the promising results.

Reference: 
Agnes van Minnen, Lizelotte Vos, Pierre M. Bet, Ad de Jongh, Felix Linsen, Hein J. F. van Marle, Onno C. Meijer, Willem M. Otte, Marije Russcher, Christiaan H. Vinkers | 2024
In: Case Reports in Psychiatry ; ISSN: 2090-682X | april | 4768647
https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/4768647
Keywords: 
Adults, Assessment, Case Report, Casuistry, Efficacy, Mental health, Middle Aged, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Psychotrauma, PTSD (DSM-5), PTSD (en), Statistical Analysis, Treatment
Affiliation author(s):