Methylphenidate for the Treatment of PTSD With Associated Neurocognitive Complaints

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is frequently accompanied by difficulty concentrating, poor memory, and inability to keep up with tasks, which negatively impacts a person's ability to function at work and in relationships. Currently available treatments do not fully relieve all symptoms. A published research report showed positive evidence that the stimulant medication methylphenidate was beneficial in treating these problems. This study will evaluate the ability of methylphenidate to treat PTSD and associated neurocognitive complaints in Veterans. An innovative feature is the study's N-of-1 design. In this design, every participant will move back and forth every 4-5 weeks between treatment with methylphenidate and treatment with placebo, in random order and under double-blind conditions, over a 20-week period. The investigators will compare the aggregated change in PTSD and neurocognitive symptoms between periods of treatment with methylphenidate versus placebo. Results will help clinicians to better choose the best treatment for Veterans living with PTSD.

NCT Number	NCT05776056
Lead Sponsor	VA Office of Research and Development
Conditions	Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Enrollment	70 participants
Start Date	2024-02-05
Primary Completion	2026-07-06 (estimated)
Study Completion	2027-03-31 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-01-09