Multi-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Comparing Ketamine, Stellate Ganglion Blocks and Combination Treatment to Sham Therapies for Traumatic Brain Injury-Associated Headaches and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Summary

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) with associated headache are amongst the most common injuries sustained by our deployed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as in more recent conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. This study aims to determine whether a procedural intervention (stellate ganglion block (SGB)) or medication (ketamine), alone or in combination, can alleviate PTSD and TBI-associated headache. Determining efficacious treatments in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study trial may improve quality of life in those with TBI and PTSD, and identifying factors associated with treatment outcome (personalized medicine) may enhance selection, thereby improving the risk: benefit and cost-effectiveness ratios. Primary Objectives: 1. To determine the efficacy of SGB and ketamine infusion as stand-alone treatments for TBI-related headache; 2. To determine the efficacy of SGB and ketamine infusion as stand-alone treatments for PTSD; 3. To determine the comparative effectiveness of SGB and ketamine infusion, and the effect of combination treatment on TBI-related headache and PTSD; 4. Exploratory Aim 1: To determine the effects of SGB, ketamine infusion, and the combination on structural and functional MRI, biomarker levels and pain thresholds and tolerance; 5. Exploratory Aim 2: To identify factors associated with treatment responders overall and for individual treatment groups. Secondary Objectives: 1. Exploratory Aim 1: To determine the effects of SGB, ketamine infusion, and the combination on structural and functional MRI, biomarker levels and pain thresholds and tolerance (Biomedical levels and MRI not included at Northwestern University Site). 2. Exploratory Aim 2: To identify factors associated with treatment responders overall and for individual treatment groups.

Description

Eligibility

Age range

18+ years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

No

Interventions

• Procedure
  Group A active comparator

  Group A placebo comparator. Stellate Ganglion Block plus placebo (.9 normal saline) infusion

• Drug
  Group B active comparator

  Active Comparator: Group B = Sham Stellate Ganglion Block plus ketamine infusion

• Combination Product
  Group C Experimental

  Group C experimental Stellate Ganglion Block plus ketamine infusion

• Other
  Group D Placebo Comparator

  Group D Placebo Comparator: Sham Stellate Ganglion Block plus placebo normal saline

Locations (3)