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Facilitation of Fear Extinction With Yohimbine Hydrochloride in Phobic Participants

NCT00734422 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: PHASE2/PHASE3 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 67

Last updated 2018-09-13

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Procedurally Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is quite similar to models of extinction of conditioned fears. Recent advances in animal research have identified pharmacological agents that appear to both accelerate and consolidate extinction learning. One of these cognitive enhancers is Yohimbine. An interesting finding in animal literature is that the administration of Yohimbine during extinction trials accelerates fear reduction and may convert ineffective exposures in to successful ones. It is thought that the mechanism of enhanced emotional memory is through elevated norepinephrine in the prefrontal cortex. Therefore, we propose to extend these studies by combining VRET with Yohimbine. In this pilot study with a between groups design 20 participants with a fear of flying will be treated with VRET plus Yohimbine or VRET plus placebo. This between groups design was chosen to further characterize the differential within and between trial extinction. Outcome will be measured by self-report, behavioral, and psychophysiological assessments at pre- and post-treatment. In addition, we will examine extinction parameters during exposures.

Conditions

  • Phobic Disorders

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy

Standard virtual reality exposure therapy for fear of flying will be combined with the administration of either yohimbine hydrochloride or an inactive placebo pill.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • VU University of Amsterdam

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Paul MG Emmelkamp, Professor · University of Amsterdam

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2008-07-31
Primary Completion
2009-06-30
Completion
2010-07-31

Countries

  • Netherlands

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT00734422 on ClinicalTrials.gov