Ongoing Clinical Trials for Anxiety Disorder
Currently, there are 3 clinical trials investigating new treatments for anxiety disorder across multiple European countries. These studies explore various approaches, from cannabidiol for uniformed personnel to personalized medication dosing and new treatment options for obsessive-compulsive disorder. (Also known as: Anxiety disorders)
Clinical trial locations
- Germany
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Spain
Study on Cannabidiol for Reducing Anxiety and PTSD Symptoms in Dutch Uniformed Personnel
This trial is testing whether cannabidiol (CBD), a natural compound from cannabis plants, can help reduce symptoms in people who are waiting to start therapy for anxiety or PTSD. The study specifically focuses on Dutch uniformed personnel, including police officers, firefighters, paramedics, military personnel, and veterans.
Who can participate: The study is looking for members of Dutch uniformed services aged between 18 and 65 who are currently waiting for therapy to treat trauma or anxiety-related disorders, as confirmed by a psychiatric interview.
Who cannot participate: People with certain specific psychological disorders are excluded, as are those outside the age range of 18-65 and those not part of the specified uniformed services groups.
What the study involves: Participants will take CBD capsules daily for two weeks. During this period, researchers will monitor changes in anxiety levels using a measurement tool called Beck’s anxiety index. The study will also assess how CBD affects fear responses, stress regulation, and sleep quality through questionnaires, physiological measurements, and a sleep watch. The goal is to see if CBD can help manage anxiety symptoms and improve well-being before starting traditional therapy, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes.
Investigational treatment: The study uses cannabidiol (CBD) in capsule form, given orally over a two-week period.
Study on Personalized Dosing of Sertraline, Aripiprazole, and Risperidone for Patients with Mood, Anxiety, or Psychotic Disorders
This trial is investigating whether personalizing medication doses based on a person’s genetic makeup can improve treatment outcomes for people with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, or psychotic disorders. The approach is called pharmacogenetics and aims to tailor treatment to each individual’s genetic profile.
Who can participate: Adults aged 18 to 64 who are currently receiving psychiatric treatment (either as inpatients or outpatients) and have a moderately severe depressive episode, anxiety disorder, or psychotic disorder. Participants must have not responded well to at least one previous mental health medication due to lack of effectiveness or side effects. They should be about to switch, or have recently switched, to specific medications: sertraline or escitalopram for mood or anxiety conditions, or aripiprazole or risperidone for psychotic conditions. Women who could become pregnant must have a negative pregnancy test and agree to use effective birth control during the study.
Who cannot participate: The exclusion criteria appear to overlap with the inclusion criteria in the source data, but generally, those with conditions that don’t meet the severity requirements or who are unable to provide informed consent would be excluded.
What the study involves: Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either personalized dosing based on genetic testing or standard dosing. The treatment period lasts 24 weeks, during which all medications are taken orally as tablets. Throughout the study, researchers will assess recovery, well-being, quality of life, psychosocial functioning, clinical symptoms, and any side effects. The study compares whether using genetic information to guide medication dosing leads to better outcomes than standard dosing practices.
Investigational treatment: The medications include sertraline, escitalopram, aripiprazole, and risperidone, with doses adjusted either according to genetic testing (pharmacogenetics-based approach) or standard clinical guidelines.
Study on Troriluzole for Patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Not Responding to Current Treatment
This trial is testing troriluzole as an additional treatment for people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) who have not experienced adequate improvement with their current medication. OCD is characterized by unwanted, repeated thoughts and feelings that drive a person to perform repetitive behaviors.
Who can participate: Adults and older teenagers with a primary diagnosis of OCD that has lasted at least one year. Participants must currently have moderate to severe symptoms, as indicated by a Y-BOCS score of 22 or higher, and must not be responding well enough to their current treatment. They should be taking one of the following medications at the appropriate dose: an SSRI antidepressant (excluding fluvoxamine), clomipramine, venlafaxine, or desvenlafaxine.
Who cannot participate: People without OCD, those outside the specified age range, pregnant or breastfeeding women, individuals with certain other medical or mental health conditions, those with a history of substance abuse, and people unable to comply with study requirements such as attending appointments and taking medication as directed.
What the study involves: Participants will continue taking their current OCD medication while also taking either troriluzole or a placebo in capsule form for up to 10 weeks. The study will monitor changes in OCD symptoms primarily through the Y-BOCS score, which measures symptom severity. Additional assessments include the SDS (Sheehan Disability Scale) total score and the CGI (Clinical Global Impression) Severity score. The goal is to determine whether adding troriluzole to existing treatment can improve OCD symptoms in people who haven’t found adequate relief with their current medication alone.
Investigational treatment: Troriluzole is administered orally in capsule form and works as a glutamate modulator, which may help reduce OCD symptoms by affecting glutamate levels in the brain.
Summary
The three ongoing clinical trials for anxiety-related conditions represent diverse approaches to treatment. Spain is notably active, hosting two of the three trials, while Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands each host one trial.
The studies explore different therapeutic strategies: one focuses on a natural compound (CBD) for a specific professional population, another investigates personalized medicine using genetic testing to optimize existing medications, and the third tests a novel drug for treatment-resistant OCD. The medications being studied range from established treatments like sertraline and risperidone to newer compounds like troriluzole.
These trials reflect current trends in mental health research, including precision medicine approaches, alternative treatments for first responders and military personnel, and new options for patients who haven’t responded to standard treatments. All three studies emphasize the importance of measuring quality of life and functional outcomes alongside symptom reduction.
