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CRHR1 antagonist ineffective for PTSD in women
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PHILADELPHIA — A corticotropin hormone type 1 receptor antagonist exhibited little to no efficacy for PTSD in women, according to data presented at the Anxiety and Depression Association of America annual conference.
To assess clinical efficacy of GSK561679, an antagonist at corticotropin releasing hormone type 1 receptors (CRHR1), for PTSD, researchers randomly assigned women who met DSM-IV criteria for PTSD to 350 mg per night of GSK561679 (n = 63) or placebo (n = 65) for 6 weeks. Study participants, aged 18 to 65 years, had a minimum Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) score of 50 or higher and were not taking any psychotropic medication.
There was no significant difference between GSK561679 and placebo regarding change in past-week CAPS score from baseline to endpoint. This result was also found regarding the PTSD Symptom Scale self-report measure.
Change in depressive symptoms, assessed via the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale, did not significantly differ between GSK561679 and placebo.
Among a subsample of randomized participants with CAPS scores of 80 or greater, GSK561679 efficacy did not differ from placebo.
Level of childhood trauma did not moderate outcomes, according to researchers.
Rates of adverse events did not significantly differ between treatment groups.
“The failure of GSK561679 to ameliorate symptoms of PTSD more than placebo suggests that modulation of the [Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal] system via CRHR1 receptor antagonism is not an effective mechanism to treat this illness,” the researchers wrote. “This study adds PTSD to the list of psychiatric disorders failing to show benefit from treatment with CRHR1 antagonists.” – by Amanda Oldt
Reference:
Dunlop B, et al. Efficacy of the corticotropin hormone type 1 receptor antagonist GSK561679 in women with PTSD: results of a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Presented at: Anxiety and Depression Association of America Conference; March 31-April 3, 2016; Philadelphia.
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