RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Estradiol and Intrusive Memories

This research is investigating if a hormone called estradiol can help prevent upsetting thoughts or images, known as intrusive memories, from forming after a distressing event. These intrusive memories are a key part of conditions like PTSD. Healthy women will take either 3mg of oral estradiol (a form of the hormone oestrogen) or a placebo (a dummy pill). They will then watch a short film designed to cause some stress. Over the next four days, researchers will check if those who took estradiol have fewer intrusive memories compared to those who took the placebo. The goal is to better understand how these memories form and potentially develop new ways to prevent them in the future. This is a "double-blind" study, meaning neither the participants nor the researchers will know who is getting the real medicine.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Charite University, Berlin, Germany

Enrolment target

273

Start

19 Aug 2024

Estimated completion

29 Feb 2028

PTSD Intrusive Memories Intrusion Symptom Trauma Intrusion

What is this study about?

This study is looking into a really important question: can a hormone help stop bad memories from getting stuck in our minds after a distressing event? We're talking about those unwanted, often vivid, thoughts or images that pop into your head over and over again, sometimes called intrusive memories. These types of memories are a key feature of conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which can be very difficult to live with.

The researchers want to see if taking a hormone called estradiol can make a difference. Estradiol is a form of oestrogen, a natural hormone in women's bodies. In this study, healthy women will be given a small dose of estradiol or a placebo (a pill with no medicine in it). Then, they'll watch a film that's designed to be a bit stressful, in a safe and controlled way. This is a common method used in research to understand how the brain reacts to stressful situations.

The main aim is to find out if women who take estradiol have fewer of these intrusive memories over the few days after watching the film, compared to those who took the placebo. By understanding this, scientists hope to learn more about how intrusive memories form in general. This knowledge could be really useful for developing new medications or treatments in the future to help people prevent or cope with these difficult memories, especially for those at risk of or suffering from PTSD.

Key takeaways

This study explores if a hormone (estradiol) can reduce upsetting memories.
It involves healthy women, aged 18-45, watching a short stressful film.
Participants will receive either estradiol or a dummy pill (placebo).
The aim is to understand how such memories form and prevent them.
Results could help develop future treatments for PTSD.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for healthy women aged between 18 and 45 years old. You would also need to be able to understand and speak German at an intermediate level (B1).

There are several reasons why you might not be able to take part. For instance, if you have any diagnosed mental health conditions now or in the past, or if you have any ongoing physical health problems, you wouldn't be suitable. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking birth control pills will also not be able to join. Additionally, if you've had a traumatic experience in your life, such as sexual abuse, you wouldn't be able to participate. They are also looking for women who are not currently in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle, which is the time leading up to ovulation.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you a woman aged between 18 and 45?
Do you speak and understand German at an intermediate level (B1)?
Are you generally healthy with no ongoing physical or mental health conditions?
Are you NOT pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking birth control pills?
Have you NOT had a traumatic experience (e.g., sexual abuse, rape) in your past?
Are you NOT currently in the follicular phase of your menstrual cycle?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you would first have a screening to make sure you meet all the requirements. If you're eligible, you would then receive either the estradiol pill or a placebo. This is a "double-blind" study, meaning neither you nor the research team will know which you are taking. After taking the pill, you will watch a short, stressful film. Over the following four days, you'll be asked to keep track of any intrusive memories you experience. The total duration of your participation would involve the screening process, the day you take the pill and watch the film, and then about four days of self-monitoring afterwards.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in research can offer the benefit of contributing to our understanding of mental health and potentially helping develop future treatments for conditions like PTSD. There are also potential risks; taking estradiol can have side effects, and while the film is designed to be stressful, it might cause some temporary discomfort or upset, especially if you find certain themes particularly sensitive. You would be fully informed of any known common side effects of estradiol. Remember, you can always ask questions and you are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Verified postcode
Berlin, Germany· Recruiting

Common questions

What are 'intrusive memories'?

These are unwanted, often vivid, thoughts or images that pop into your mind against your will, especially after a distressing event.

What is estradiol?

Estradiol is a form of oestrogen, a natural female hormone. It's often used in hormone replacement therapy.

What does 'double-blind placebo-controlled' mean?

It means neither you nor the study staff will know if you're getting the actual medicine (estradiol) or a dummy pill (placebo). This helps ensure fair results.

Is this study only for women?

Yes, this specific study is focusing on healthy female volunteers.

Will I get PTSD from watching the film?

The film is designed to induce temporary stress and intrusive memories in a safe, research setting, not to cause long-term conditions like PTSD.

How to find out more

Tolou Maslahati, M.Sc.

tolou.maslahati@charite.de 0049 30 450 517 567 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.