FKBP5 Methylation and Childhood Emotional Abuse in Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Investigating the Relationship and Its Predictive Role in Therapy Outcome

May 27, 2024 updated by: University Hospital Tuebingen
The aim of this study is to investigate the role FKBP5 DNA methylation levels in patients suffering from complex posttraumatic stress disorder, who participated in a 12-weeks disorder-specific DBT-PTSD inpatient treatment. DNA methylation levels were measured before and after completing DBT-PTSD.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Epigenetic modifications in the FKBP5 gene, which is involved in regulating the stress response, have been found to be associated with trauma-related mental disorders like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous research has suggested that FKBP5 may also be a predictor of therapy outcomes. However, there is limited evidence regarding its relationship with complex PTSD (cPTSD). This pilot study aimed to investigate the association between cPTSD and FKBP5 DNA methylation, as well as its predictive role in therapy outcomes among patients undergoing Dialectical Behavior Therapy for PTSD (DBT-PTSD), a 12-week trauma-focused inpatient treatment program.

29 patients with cPTSD who participated in the DBT-PTSD program were enrolled. FKBP5 DNA methylation levels were measured at two CpG sites before treatment (n=25) and after completing DBT-PTSD (n=15). To assess the predictive value of FKBP5 DNA methylation, we categorized the sample into responders and non-responders based on therapy outcome.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

29

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Baden Württemberg
      • Tuebingen, Baden Württemberg, Germany, 72076
        • University Hospital Tuebingen

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

complex posttraumatic stress disorder with or wothout comorbid borderline personality disorder Age between 18 and 65 Years Participiation in 12 weeks DBT-PTSD inpatient treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

Acute suicidality

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Other: cPTSD patients participating in 12-weeks DBT-PTSD program
The study consists of one arm including cPTSD patients, who participated in a 12-weeks dialectical behavioral therapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (DBT-PTSD)
12 weeks inpatient disorder specific psychotherapy

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
DNA methylation levels of FKBP5 before and following DBT-PTSD
Time Frame: After 12 weeks of DBT-PTSD treatment
FK506 binding protein 5 (FKBP5), an immunoregulator modulating glucocorticoid receptor activity, plays a key role in stress reactivity
After 12 weeks of DBT-PTSD treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

January 1, 2016

Primary Completion (Actual)

March 1, 2020

Study Completion (Actual)

March 1, 2020

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 21, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 27, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

May 30, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 30, 2024

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 27, 2024

Last Verified

May 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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