Improvements in memory and hippocampal volume generally are found with SSRI treatments, as well as reductions in symptom severity, according to Dr. Nemeroff.
For PTSD patients who are struggling with insomnia and other sleep-related problems, Dr. Nemeroff said prazosin has been “phenomenal,” especially in reducing nightmares (Am. J. Psychiatry 2013;170:1003-10).
One drug class to avoid using with PTSD patients is benzodiazepines, he said. “Every study has shown that benzodiazepines in PTSD do not work, and they come with a high rate of substance abuse in this population.”
*Dr. Nemeroff disclosed that he receives research and grant support from the National Institutes of Health. He also serves as a consultant for several companies, including Xhale, Takeda, SK Pharma, Shire, Roche, Lilly, Allergan, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Development America, Taisho Pharmaceutical, Lundbeck, Prismic Pharmaceuticals, and Clintara LLC. He is a stockholder in Xhale, Celgene, Seattle Genetics, Abbvie, Titan Pharmaceuticals, and OPKO Health.
In addition, he holds financial/proprietary interest in patents for method/devices for the transdermal delivery of lithium and for a method of assessing antidepressant drug therapy.
*Correction, 4/10/2015: An earlier version of this story misstated Dr. Nemeroff's disclosures.
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