Clinical trial NCT02777372
Conditions: PMDD Stress Mood
Keywords: Zoloft premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Menses
Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University
Start date: 2016-04-01; Completion date: 2021-12-01
Enrollment: 84 participants; Allocation: NON_RANDOMIZED; Intervention model: PARALLEL

Brief summary:
This study that aims to evaluate the psychophysiology of premenstrual mood disorders (PMDs) at baseline and after treatment with sertraline. Participants will include women with PMDs and healthy female controls. Participation involves a baseline visit to determine eligibility and three study visits that include questionnaires and stress reactivity assessment via an acoustic startle paradigm. Female participants with PMDs will receive sertraline during the premenstrual phase.

Detailed description:
Among women with premenstrual mood dysphoric disorder (PMDD), baseline arousal is heightened during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle compared to the follicular phase, as measured by acoustic startle response (ASR). Healthy female controls do not show cyclic changes in this measure of physiologic arousal. It has been suggested that such heightened physiologic arousal during the luteal phase may be due to differences in neurosteroid modulation of Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-A receptor function. Research indicates that women with premenstrual mood disorders (PMDs) may have sub-optimal sensitivity to the progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone (ALLO), a GABA-A receptor modulator. In animal models, intracerebroventricular injection of corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) increases amplitude of the acoustic startle response, while ALLO administration attenuates this CRF-enhanced startle. The primary aim of this study is to examine differences in ASR by menstrual cycle phase (follicular, luteal) and group (control, PMDD). Secondary aim is to examine the impact of luteal phase treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) on psychophysiology in women with PMDs. An exploratory aim is to examine immune function among these women.

Arms: arm 1: To determine the impact of short term luteal phase treatment with Sertraline 50mg tablets (PMDD group only) on acoustic startle response across the menstrual cycle. Sertraline 50 mg tablets are administered daily from ovulation until menses onset. arm 2: No intervention.
Interventions: intervention 1: Sertraline
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Sertraline will be provided at a dose of 50 mg daily for up to 3 weeks, depending on the length of a woman's luteal phase. Medication will be taken only during the luteal phase. Women will initiate sertraline treatment upon determining that they have ovulated (using a urine luteinizing hormone (LH) Kit) and remain on sertraline until onset of their next menstrual period at which time they will stop taking the medication.

Protocol documents:
Prot_SAP_000.pdf: 
IRB Protocol Title: Psychophysiology, Neurosteroids, and Stress in Premenstrual Dysphoric 
Disorder 
IRB Continuing Review Approval Date: 2/1/22 
NCT Number:  NCT02777372 
 
Study Protocol 
The study will include up to four visits: a Baseline visit (eligibility screening for all participants), 
Test Day 1 (acoustic startle for all participants, occurring in the follicular phase for half of 
female participants and luteal phase for half of female participants), Test Day 2 (identical to 
Test Day 1; in a crossover manner for menstrual cycle phase for female participants), and Test 
Day 3 (identical to Test Day 2, occurring in the luteal phase for female participants). These are 
described in detail below.  
Screening 
Potential participants will contact the study coordinator. The coordinator will read a brief 
description of the study and answer any questions. Potential participants who are still 
interested will provide verbal consent 1) to complete a phone screen to determine initial 
eligibility, and 2) for female participants, to complete the Daily Record of Severity of Symptoms 
(DRSP). 
 
Screening: Female Participants 
The screening is performed over the phone.  
The participant will: 
1. Hear a description of the study 
2. Provide verbal consent to complete phone screen, DRSP  
3. Complete phone screen 
4. Receive DRSP   
 
Baseline Visit 
At the baseline appointment the participant will sign informed consent, and will then undergo 
screening to ensure adherence to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, including a SCID to assess 
psychiatric history. Participants will be asked to submit a urine sample for toxicology screening. 
The urine analysis will be completed at the Women’s Mood Disorders Center, therefore, the 
results of the screen will not be entered into the subject’s medical record. Participants will 
undergo the “workup” and “habituation” portions of the acoustic startle procedure (see p. 17) 
to determine the appropriate level of stimulation for the startle protocol at the subsequent 
Test Day, and to determine whether they can tolerate the acoustic startle procedure. 
Participants will be asked to prospectively track symptoms associated with her menstrual cycle 
for 1 month with the DRSP. The baseline visit will last approximately 2 hours. Individuals who 
appear to meet criteria for PMDs will meet with the study medical professional to discuss the 


use of sertraline and to review potential side effects as well as other options for the treatment 
of PMDs. 
 
Baseline Visit:  
The baseline visit includes signing informed consent and additional screening.  
The participant will: 
1. Sign informed consent 
2. Complete clinician-administered rating scales 
a. SCID 
3. Complete self-report rating scales: 
a. Participant Demographics Form  
b. Timeline Followback Calendar: Alcohol 
c. Timeline Followback Calendar: Cigarette Smoking 
4. Acoustic startle protocol workup, habituation 
5. Urine toxicology screen 
6. Female participants will be reminded to continue to track symptoms daily on the Daily 
Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP), and will be provided a urine LH kit to determine 
ovulation. 
Test Day 1 
All participants will participate in this visit. This visit will be scheduled between Day 5 and Day 
11 of the menstrual cycle (follicular) or at least 5 days after suspected ovulation or when 
progesterone levels are >3 ng/ML (luteal). At Test Day 1, participants will complete the self-
report measures above, and will undergo the acoustic startle procedure. Participants will be 
asked not to use caffeine for 8 hours prior to the visit or nicotine for 1 hour before this visit, as 
this could affect ASR results. The acoustic startle protocol is described below. These 
measurements will be collected to the best of study staff’s ability, however due to time 
constraints resulting from the detailed nature of the study visit schedule, some data points may 
not get captured. Participants will be asked to prospectively track symptoms associated with 
her menstrual cycle for 1 month with the DRSP. Test Day 1 will last about 3 hours. 
 
Test Day 1:  
The participant will: 
1. Complete self-report rating scales:  
a. Timeline Followback Calendar: Alcohol 
b. Timeline Followback Calendar: Cigarette Smoking 
2. Height and weight measurements 
3. Complete the acoustic startle protocol 
4. Undergo blood draw  
5. Female participants will be reminded to continue to track symptoms daily on the Daily 
Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) and will be provided a urine LH kit. 
 


Test Day 2 
All participants will participate in this visit. If Test Day 1 occurred during the follicular phase, 
Test Day 2 will be scheduled at least 5 days after suspected ovulation or when progesterone 
levels are > 3 ng/ML. If Test Day 1 occurred during the luteal phase, the Test Day 2 will be 
scheduled between Day 5 and Day 11 of the menstrual cycle (follicular). If scheduled for the 
luteal phase, participants will be asked to come to the lab 1-2 days prior to the Test Day for a 
blood draw to confirm her progesterone levels. At Test Day 2, participants will complete the 
same self-report measures as above, and will undergo the acoustic startle procedure and 
hormone measures as described below. Participants in the PMD groups will be provided 
sertraline, described below. Test Day 2 will last about 3 hours. 
 
Test Day 2: Female Participants with PMDs 
The participant will: 
1. Complete self-report rating scales: 
a. Timeline Followback Calendar: Alcohol 
b. Timeline Followback Calendar: Cigarette Smoking 
2. Height and weight measurements 
3. Complete the acoustic startle protocol 
4. Undergo blood draw  
5. Female participants will be reminded to continue to track symptoms daily on the Daily 
Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) and will be provided a urine LH kit to determine 
ovulation if needed. 
6. Receive sertraline  
 
Test Day 2: Female Participants who are Controls 
The participant will: 
1. Complete self-report rating scales:  
a. Timeline Followback Calendar: Alcohol 
b. Timeline Followback Calendar: Cigarette Smoking 
2. Height and weight measurements 
3. Complete the acoustic startle protocol 
4. Undergo blood draw  
5. Female participants will be reminded to continue to track symptoms daily on the Daily 
Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) and will be provided a urine LH kit to determine 
ovulation if needed. 
 
Test Day 3 
All participants will participate in this visit.  Test Day 3 will be scheduled at least 5 days after 
suspected ovulation or when progesterone levels are >/ 3 ng/ML (luteal) of the menstrual cycle. 
At this visit, the PMD participants will be taking sertraline 50 mg/d. Based on the participants’ 
menstrual tracking, she will be scheduled for Test Day 3 to coincide with her next luteal phase. 


At Test Day 3, participants will complete the same self-report measures as above, and will 
undergo the acoustic startle procedure as described above. Test Day 3 will last about 3 hours. 
 
Test Day 3: Female Participants  
The participant will: 
1. Complete self-report rating scales: 
a. Timeline Followback Calendar: Alcohol 
b. Timeline Followback Calendar: Cigarette Smoking 
2. Height and weight measurements 
3. Complete the acoustic startle protocol 
4. Undergo blood draw  
5. Female participants will be reminded to continue to track symptoms daily on the Daily 
Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) 
Detailed Description of Study Visit Components 
Questionnaires:  
Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5): The SCID (First, Spitzer, Gibbon, & Williams, 
2002) is a structured interview to assess for the presence of other DSM-5 Axis I disorders, 
including major depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, panic disorder, phobic 
disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, somatoform disorders, 
and substance abuse and dependence. The widely used SCID-5 is a reliable and valid diagnostic 
interview. 
 
Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP): The DRSP (Endicott, Nee, & Harrison, 2006) is a 
well-validated daily symptom chart that was developed to aid in the diagnosis of PMS and 
PMDD. It includes 11 domains that address the criterion symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric 
disorder (depression, anxiety, mood lability, anger, interest in activities, concentration, 
lethargy, appetite, sleep, control, and physical symptoms). Participants rate each item daily, on 
a scale of 1 (“not at all”) to 6 (“extreme”). 
 
Timeline Followback Calendar: Alcohol, Cigarette Smoking: These calendars provide a measure 
of alcohol and cigarette use in the past month. 
 
Acoustic Startle Protocol:  
The acoustic startle protocol will employ an NPU-threat task, which is designed to evoke both 
short-duration (fear-potentiated; amygdala-mediated; in the P condition) and long-duration 
(anxiety-potentiated; BNST-mediated; in the U condition) startle response. Participants will be 
asked not to smoke for at least one hour prior to the acoustic startle protocol, as nicotine may 
affect results.  
 
The startle response in this project will be measured using the eyeblink reflex.  The eyeblink 
reflex will be measured by recording activity from the orbicularis oculi muscle with two surface 
disk electrodes (Ag-AgCl) applied underneath the left eye with medical tape. A ground 
electrode will be placed on the forearm.  Electrode impedance level will be below 5 Kohms.  


Startle stimuli will be 50ms white noise bursts at 95 to 105dB with zero rise time presented 
through circumaural earphones.  Warning or prestimuli will be a 60 to 75dB 1000 Hz tones with 
a 4-ms rise and fall time.  
 
Instructions: The participant will be provided a description of the experiment using visual aids 
depicting the stimuli that will be presented during the NPU trials (images and script included in 
supplemental material). Briefly, the experiment will consist of three conditions: no shock (N), 
predictable shock (P), and unpredictable shock (U). In the N condition (green circle) no shocks 
will be delivered. In the P condition (red square), shocks will be administered only in the 
presence of a cue. In the U condition (blue triangle), shocks will be administered at any time, 
without cue. Participants will be provided the following information on the computer monitor 
throughout the testing procedure: (N) “no shock”, (P) “shock only during red screen”, and (U) 
“shock at any time”. The participant will be asked to remain still, with their eyes open and 
focused on the computer screen during the trials.  
 
Workup: Participants will undergo an initial shock workup procedure to determine a level of 
shock that is unpleasant but not painful. Given that this threshold may vary from person to 
person, the intensity of the shock will be increased until the participant feels that it is 
uncomfortable but not painful and this intensity will then be used for the duration of the test. 
Shock may range from 1-5 mA. The workup consists of administration of eight sample shocks, 
delivered in a graded manner. Each shock is rated by the participant, on a scale of 1 (barely felt) 
to 5 (very unpleasant / uncomfortable). The desired rating is 4 (quite unpleasant / 
uncomfortable). Based on the rating, the subsequent shock intensity is adjusted. The shock 
intensity will be adjusted in steps of 0.5 mA until the rating of 4 is achieved. If the rating of 4 is 
not reached after eight shocks, the maximum intensity of 5 mA will be used. The workup will be 
performed at the Baseline visit, and may be repeated at Test Days if the participant, during the 
“ratings” portion of the acoustic startle protocol, rates the startle protocol as less than 
moderately anxiety provoking (less than 5 on Questionnaire #2, Item 2). 
 
Setup: Participants will be seated in a comfortable chair in a quiet room. The startle response 
will be measured using the eyeblink reflex, measured by recording activity from the orbicularis 
oculi muscle. Recording will be performed via two surface disk electrodes (Ag-AgCl) applied 
underneath the left eye; one in line with the pupil and one 1-2 cm lateral to the first one. The 
skin will be cleaned with alcohol and NuPrep prior to electrode application. Startle probes will 
be 50ms white noise bursts at 103dB with zero rise time presented through circumaural 
earphones. Aversive events will be a mild shock, 1-5 mA, lasting 100 ms, produced by a 
constant current stimulator and applied to the wrist. Once all of the electrodes have been 
applied, the participants will be told that they will wear a set of earphones and that 
occasionally they will hear different sounds through the earphones.  They will also be instructed 
to sit still and quiet and to try to remain awake. Participants will be asked to orient to the 
screen and to passively view each screen during the startle session.  Upon session completion, 
participants are asked to view the pictures one more time to rate them with respect to intensity 
of valence and arousal.  
 


Habituation: The startle probe will be presented via earphones to the participant, who will 
confirm that s/he can hear the white noise. Participants will then undergo a habituation trial. 
This reduces excessive initial startle reactivity, prior to the threat of shock protocol. The 
habituation trial consists of nine startle probes delivered every 18-25 seconds. No shocks are 
administered at any time during the habituation trial.  
 
NPU Threat Task: The task consists of two P, two U, and three N conditions. The participant will 
undergo two “blocks” of these N/P/U conditions (e.g. Block 1: P N U N U N P, Block 2: U N P N P 
N U), separated by a five minute break. Each N/P/U condition will last approximately two and a 
half minutes (120 s), so that each block of seven N/P/Us is approximately 17.5 minutes. Thus, 
total task time including the five minute break is 40 minutes.  
Cues: Each N, P, U condition includes three cues (an 8-second presentation of a colored shape). 
The cue signals the possibility of a shock in the P condition only, and has no stimulus value in 
the N or U conditions.  
 
Startle Probes: In each N, P, and U, six acoustic startle probes will be presented. The startle 
probe (50ms white noise burst at 103dB with zero rise time) is administered once during each 
cue presentation and once during each interval between cues. Startle probes are separated by 
a minimum interval of 20 s.  
Shocks: During P and U, shocks will be administered. Shocks will be applied once or twice per P 
(to coincide with the cue, e.g. 0.5 s before the end of the cue) or U condition (randomized 
during absence of the cue, e.g. occurring 7-10 seconds after cue offset), resulting in 6 shocks 
per block and 12 shocks overall during the experiment.  
Break: The participant will have a 5-10 minute break between the two blocks, at which time 
s/he may drink water, stretch her legs, and will complete ratings.  
 
Ratings: After each block, the participant will be asked to rate her anxiety level retrospectively 
using a rating form (included in supplemental material).  
 
Debriefing: After the startle protocol has been completed, study staff will meet with the 
participant to discuss the protocol and to review his/her experience and distress level.  
 
Blood Draw: At each Test Day, blood will be drawn to assess the following. 
 
Sex Steroid Hormones: 
We will draw blood for sex steroid hormones.  
 
SSRI Treatment:  
At Test Day 2, PMD participants will receive SSRI antidepressant medication in the form of 
sertraline 50 mg capsule/tablet with instructions on how and when to take the medication. 
Medication will be taken only during the luteal phase after ovulation has been confirmed by 
urine LH kit. Participants will be asked to contact the study coordinator to let them know when 
the urine LH kit has indicated ovulation and to document the date of onset of sertraline 
treatment. This is known as intermittent dosing, which has shown efficacy in treating PMDD 


(Yonkers et al., 2005, Steiner et al., 1997, Freeman et al., 2004). Women will remain on 
sertraline until onset of their next menstrual period at which time they will stop taking the 
medication. Participants in the healthy control group will not receive sertraline.  
 
 
a. Study duration and number of study visits required of research participants. 
 
The study will include up to four visits and a participant may be enrolled in the study for up to 6 
months: a Baseline visit (eligibility screening for all participants), Test Day 1 (acoustic startle for 
all participants, occurring in the follicular phase for half of female participants and luteal phase 
for half of female participants), Test Day 2 (identical to Test Day 1; in a crossover manner for 
menstrual cycle phase for female participants), and Test Day 3 (identical to Test Day 2, 
occurring in the luteal phase for female participants). These are described in detail above.  
 
b. Blinding, including justification for blinding or not blinding the trial, if applicable. 
 
N/A; this is an open-label study. 
 
c. Justification of why participants will not receive routine care or will have current 
therapy stopped. 
 
All participants will receive routine clinical care and will continue to be monitored by their 
outpatient provider. Anyone who is decompensating clinically will be referred to the study PI in 
the Johns Hopkins University’s Women’s Mood Disorders Center for a clinical evaluation to 
determine next steps for treatment. 
 
d. Justification for inclusion of a placebo or non-treatment group. 
 
Only participants who meet criteria for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder will receive treatment 
in order to determine whether SSRI treatment is effective. 
 
e. Definition of treatment failure or participant removal criteria. 
 
Participants will be removed if they are lost to follow-up or are noncompliant with the study 
protocol.   
 
f. Description of what happens to participants receiving therapy when study ends or if 
a participant’s participation in the study ends prematurely. 
 
Participants will return for clinical care to their outpatient provider at the end of the study or if 
their participation ends prematurely. 
 
1. 
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria 


Inclusion Criteria 
Participants must: 
1. Be aged 18 - 50 years per self-report  
2. Be Able to give written informed consent per self report 
3. Be Fluent in written and spoken English 
4. Have normal or corrected to normal hearing and vision per self report 
5. Must be experiencing regular menstrual cycles (24-35 days) per self-report 
6. Have a negative urine drug screen  
Exclusion Criteria 
Participants cannot have: 
1. Use of a psychotropic medication anytime in the past 2 months per self report, except 
benzodiazapeines PRN. Benzodiazapeines may not be taken for 24 hours prior to test 
days.  
2. Drug or alcohol abuse history within previous 2 years  
3. Lifetime history of psychotic disorder including, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, 
major depression with psychotic features and bipolar disorder per self report 
4. Currently homeless per self report 
5. History of any Axis I disorder other then specific phobia within the past 12 months per 
SCID interview 
6. Active suicidal ideation (suicide plan or suicide attempt) per SCID interview within the 
previous 6 months 
7. Steroid hormone or hormonal contraceptive use in the past 6 months per self report, 
except use of levonorgestrel as an emergency contraceptive or temporary hormone use 
for oocyte cytopreservation, if it has not affected menstrual cycle regularity. 
8. Pregnancy in the past year per self report if it has continued to affect current menstrual 
cycle regularity. Pregnancy during the study is also exclusionary. Participants must use a 
reliable, non-hormonal form of birth control during the study. If a participant becomes 
pregnant, she must inform study staff. 
9. Sensitive hearing, per self-report.  
Subject Selection and Withdrawal 
 Women ages 18 - 50 will be recruited via fliers, paid advertising, the Women’s Mood Disorders 
website, MyChart recruitment through the ICTR and through clinician referrals. We will recruit 
healthy female controls and PMD participants. We intend to enroll 64 participants (27 per 
group, plus 5 per group predicted attrition) similar to previous studies by our group (Epperson 
2007). Over the course of 4 years, this translates to recruiting 1-2 participants per month.  
 
Participants may enroll in 1 of 2 study groups: the PMS/PMDD group or the healthy control 
group. 
 


 A presumptive diagnosis of PMDD, based on retrospective report during phone screening, will 
be further assessed with prospective daily ratings on the Daily Record of Severity of Problems 
(DRSP) as well as the clinician administered interview.   
 
To meet criteria for the PMDD group based on the DRSP, women must have a 30% increase in 
mean DRSP score for five symptoms (listed below) comparing the mean score for each 
symptom from the follicular phase with the mean symptom score from the premenstrual/luteal 
phase, with at least one of the symptoms being irritability, mood lability, depressed mood, 
and/or anxiety/tension. She must have at least moderate symptom scores (≥4) for at least two 
days on 5 total symptoms in the luteal phase, with at least one of the symptoms being 
irritability, mood lability, depressed mood, and/or anxiety/tension. She must not have greater 
than mild (>3) symptom scores in the follicular phase. The Structured Clinical Interview for 
Diagnosis (SCID) for DSM-V will be used to confirm DRSP diagnosis and determine past and 
present Axis I disorders in all participants. 
 
 Women classified as control participants are asymptomatic during the premenstrual week and 
do not exhibit any Axis I disorder, past or present.   
 
Menstrual Cycle Phases: 
Day 1: First day of menstrual flow 
Day 5 – 11: Follicular Phase 
Day 10-14 post ovulation or when Progesterone levels are >/ 3:  Luteal Phase 
 
DRSP Menstrual Symptoms: 
1. Felt depressed, sad, down, or blue or felt hopeless; or felt worthless or guilty 
2. Felt anxious, tense, keyed up or on edge 
3. Had mood swings (i.e. suddenly feeling sad or tearful) 
4. Felt angry or irritable 
5. Had less interest in usual activities (work, school, friends, hobbies) 
6. Had difficulty concentrating 
7. Felt lethargic, tired, or fatigued, or had lack of energy 
8. Had increased appetite or overate, or had cravings for specific foods 
9. Slept more, took naps, found it hard to get up when intended, or had trouble falling / 
staying asleep 
10. Felt overwhelmed, unable to cope, or out of control 
11. Had breast tenderness / swelling, bloated sensation, weight gain, headache, muscle / 
joint pain, other physical symptoms 
 
Subject Recruitment and Screening 
This research study will be conducted at the Johns Hopkins University’s Women’s Mood 
Disorders Center (WMDC). The potential participant may call the WMDC after seeing a flier or 
the website, or after being given a study flier or card by study personnel or their provider, or 
receiving an email (via MyChart).  


 
All women who contact WMDC regarding study participation will have the study explained to 
them using the IRB approved phone script. Following the phone script all women who express 
interest in the study will have the option to complete a phone interview to determine initial 
eligibility. Prior to completing the phone interview, women will be read a verbal consent 
document and then choose to give or deny verbal consent to go forward with the phone 
screening. We have requested a waiver of documentation of informed consent to complete this 
interview. If participants are eligible based on the phone screen and 1 month of DRSP data, she 
will be scheduled for a baseline visit.  
Early Withdrawal of Subjects 
When and How to Withdraw Subjects 
Early withdrawal of subjects may occur for the following reasons: 
1. The subject fails to return for visits or fails to adhere to protocol requirements 
2. Failure to locate subject 
3. The subject withdraws her consent for participation 
4. The PI determines that the subject is no longer eligible for participation in the study. 
 
Potential subjects will be informed that they do not have to participate in this study, and that 
refusal to participate will involve no penalty or loss of rights to which they are otherwise 
entitled.  Subjects will be made aware that they may withdraw from the study at any time 
without penalty or loss of benefits. Subjects who wish to withdraw are asked to provide written 
notice to the study coordinator. The subject’s decision to withdraw and disposition upon 
withdrawing from the study will be recorded in her research chart. Subjects may be withdrawn 
from the study if they fail to adhere to protocol requirements or fail to return for study visits.  
There is minimal risk of adverse symptoms when abruptly discontinuing sertraline at 50-100 
mg/d.   
Data Collection and Follow-up for Withdrawn Subjects 
All attempts to retain individuals in the study will be made, including calling the participant to 
remind them of their appointment, calling participants 2 times after a missed appointment and 
then sending a letter.  
 
2. 
Drugs/ Substances/ Devices 
a. The rationale for choosing the drug and dose or for choosing the device to be used. 
 
Drug name: sertraline 
Pharmacological class: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) 
Structural formula (if known): C17H17NCl2•HCl 
Formulation and dose: Tablets 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg 
Route of Administration: Oral 
 


Sertraline hydrochloride, (chemical name: (1S-cis)-4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-N-
methyl-1-naphthalenamine hydrochloride), is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; its 
mechanism of action is inhibition of CNS neuronal uptake of serotonin. Sertraline hydrochloride 
is a white crystalline powder that is slightly soluble in water and isopropyl alcohol, and sparingly 
soluble in ethanol. It is supplied for oral administration in scored tablets containing sertraline 
hydrochloride, dibasic calcium phosphate dehydrate, coloring, hydroxypropyl cellulose, 
hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 
80, sodium starch glycolate, and titanium dioxide. Absorption: Tmax=4.5-8.4 hrs. Distribution: 
Plasma protein binding (98%). Metabolism: Liver (extensive); N-demethylation, oxidative 
deamination, reduction, hydroxylation, glucuronide conjugation. Elimination: Feces (12-14% 
unchanged), urine (minor); T1/2=26 hrs. In humans following oral once-daily dosing of 50 to 200 
mg for 14 days, mean peak plasma concentrations of sertraline occurred between 4.5 to 8.4 
hours post-dosing. The average terminal elimination half-life of plasma sertraline is 
approximately 26 hours. 
 
This dose was selected based on the recommended dosing in the Physicians’ Desk Reference for 
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. The PDR recommends the following dosing for PMDD, via 
oral route: Initial: 50mg daily continuous or limited to luteal phase of cycle. The dose may be 
titrated up to 150 mg/d if taking the medication continuously or to 100 mg/d for luteal phase 
dosing.  As women in this study will be given one month of luteal phase dosing, we have chosen 
to use the 50 mg/d dosage. Previous studies using intermittent dosing have used a similar 
dosage (50-100 mg) and dosage period as proposed in the present study (Yonkers 2005, 
Freeman 2004). Side effects of sertraline may include dry mouth, increased sweating, 
somnolence, tremor, anorexia, dizziness, headache, diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea/vomiting, 
agitation, insomnia, nervousness. Potential benefits include reduction of PMD symptoms and 
improved knowledge about the psychophysiology of premenstrual mood disorders (PMDs).   
 
b. Justification and safety information if FDA approved drugs will be administered for 
non-FDA approved indications or if doses or routes of administration or participant 
populations are changed. 
Description 
This medication is supplied in a 50 mg scored tablet. The tablets are blue and film-coated. 
Treatment Regimen 
Sertraline will be provided at a dose of 50 mg daily for up to 3 weeks, depending on the length 
of a woman’s luteal phase. Medication will be taken only during the luteal phase. Women will 
initiate sertraline treatment upon determining that they have ovulated (using a urine LH Kit) 
and remain on sertraline until onset of their next menstrual period at which time they will stop 
taking the medication.  
 


Method for Assigning Subjects to Treatment Groups 
After completing Test Days 1 and 2, female participants with PMDs will receive sertraline (50 
mg QD) in an open-label manner for up to three weeks. 
Preparation and Administration of Study Drug 
The Investigational Drug Service (IDS) will purchase the sertraline (generic). The capsule will 
contain 50 mg sertraline.  IDS has been selected on the HS ERA application. 
Subject Compliance Monitoring 
Participants will be reminded to bring their pill bottles with them to each appointment so that 
pill usage can be more closely monitored. 
Prior and Concomitant Therapy 
We will exclude individuals who require the use of any antidepressant or other psychotropic 
medication with the exception of occasional benzodiazepine use.  No other psychotropic 
medication will be allowed during the sertraline treatment phase of the study. 
Packaging 
Sertraline is designed as a tablet for oral administration. It is commercially available from the 
manufacturer.  All study drug used in this study will be obtained directly from the manufacturer 
and dispensed by the Investigational Drug Service (IDS). 
Receiving, Storage, Dispensing and Return 
Receipt of Drug Supplies 
Drug will be sent from the manufacturer to the Investigational Drug Service (IDS). Upon receipt 
of the of the study treatment supplies, an inventory must be performed and a drug receipt log 
filled out and signed by the person accepting the shipment.  It is important that the designated 
study staff counts and verifies that the shipment contains all the items noted in the shipment 
inventory.  Any damaged or unusable study drug in a given shipment (active drug or 
comparator) will be documented in the study files.  The investigator must notify study sponsor 
of any damaged or unusable study treatments that were supplied to the investigator’s site. 
Storage 
Medication will be stored at the study pharmacy (IDS) using standard methods. 
Dispensing of Study Drug 
The drug used for this study will be placed in a bottle labeled with the participant’s name, 
instructing them to take the 50mg capsule(s) by mouth.  The capsules will be ordered through 
the IDP at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute with the help of an assigned Lead Research Nurse 
and picked up the WMDC research staff and given to the participant.  Regular study drug 
reconciliation will be performed to document drug assigned, drug consumed, and drug 


remaining.  This reconciliation will be logged on the drug reconciliation form, and signed and 
dated by the study team. 
Return or Destruction of Study Drug 
At the completion of the study, there will be a final reconciliation of drug shipped, drug 
consumed, and drug remaining.  This reconciliation will be logged on the drug reconciliation 
form, signed and dated.  Any discrepancies noted will be investigated, resolved, and 
documented prior to return or destruction of unused study drug.  Drug destroyed on site will be 
documented in the study files. 
 
c. Justification and safety information if FDA approved drugs will be administered for 
non-FDA approved indications or if doses or routes of administration or participant 
populations are changed. 
 
Not applicable. 
 
a. Early stopping rules. 
 
N/A -This is not a high risk study, and is not examining primary safety endpoints. 
 
3. 
Risks 
a. Medical risks, listing all procedures, their major and minor risks and expected 
frequency. 
 
Potential Study Risks: 
The risks associated with this study are minor. While there are several assessments conducted, 
including questionnaires, a clinical interview, blood draws and saliva samples, they are all 
within the scope of routine clinical practice.   
 
Questionnaires, Interview: Subjects may experience mild psychological distress while answering 
questions about their mood.  If any subject reports significant distress or suicidality, a trained 
psychologist will evaluate the subject and a decision about emergency treatment versus 
referral will be made. 
 
Blood Draws: The risks of the blood draw procedure are local site pain, hematoma, bleeding, 
fainting and infection all of which are minimal and the same as with any standard blood draw. 
The amount of blood drawn will be far less than a standard blood donation.  All research staff 
members dealing with blood draw are highly experienced in phlebotomy.  
 
Startle Procedure: There are no risks of physical or psychological injury associated with this 
procedure. The electric shocks, while unpleasant, are not intense enough to cause physical 
injury.  The test is non-invasive and does not require the administration of any needles, drug, or 
dyes.  The only direct contact with the subject is the placement of the electrodes to record the 
physiological measures.  These electrodes are connected to amplifiers and recording devices 


that have been specifically designed for human studies.  The possibility of skin irritation from 
contact with the saline electrode paste exists.  However, this is unlikely as the salt 
concentration of the paste is very similar to that of human sweat.   
 
Startle Probe: The acoustic white noise delivered through the earphones may prove to be 
unpleasant to some participants and rarely may cause discomfort during or after study 
procedures 
 
SSRI Treatment: The most common side effects from sertraline include diarrhea, nausea, 
insomnia, dry mouth, and fatigue, per sertraline prescribing information. A risk of this study is 
that the treatment will be ineffective. Patients who do not respond to the treatment may be 
referred for treatment outside the study. Another risk is symptom worsening 
 
Nonspecific risks: As a result of their participation in these studies, participants may be 
inconvenienced by frequent study visits. There is also the remote possibility that confidentiality 
could be breached.  
 
b. Steps taken to minimize the risks. 
 
Questionnaires, Interview: A trained research assistant will be available at all times while the 
participant is filling out questionnaires.  The Principal Investigator will also be available by 
telephone, and WMDC clinicians (including a psychiatrist) will be onsite during the 
administration as well.  Should the participant become distressed, the study staff member can 
provide reassurance and evaluate her psychiatric state. Participants will be informed during 
screening and consenting procedures that they do not have to answer or complete tasks that 
cause them distress.  Each participant will be directed to inform the study team member if she 
wishes to skip a certain part. Research staff will evaluate the participant’s scores on the mood 
scales and  psychiatric interview (SCID, determines if the participant is currently psychiatrically 
ill based on DSM-V criteria). The study psychiatrist and/or research staff will also interview the 
patient regarding safety and if appropriate (the participant is thought to be in danger of 
harming herself or others) escort the participant to the emergency room (across the street from 
the location of the Women’s Mood Disorders Center) or direct the patient to emergency care. 
Alternatively, if the participant is experiencing significant mood or anxiety symptoms but is not 
in acute danger, the research staff will provide a referral guide to the participant and offer to 
make an appointment for a consultation at the Women’s Mood Disorders Center.  
 
Blood Draws: All research staff members dealing with blood draw are highly experienced in 
phlebotomy.  
 
Startle Procedure: Every effort will be made to help the participants feel comfortable with the 
initially new surroundings and with the wires and electrodes.  Care will be taken in applying and 
removing the tape so as to avoid any skin irritation or discomfort. All subjects will be debriefed 
following the procedure. We encourage participants to let us know if they are in a state in 
which they cannot continue with study procedures due to any aspect of the test day. 


 
SSRI Treatment: Subjects will be asked to contact study personnel if their symptoms worsen 
between visits.  Monitoring during the study will permit therapies to be terminated rapidly, 
when clinically indicated, for patients who show signs of worsening or the onset of significant 
suicidality. If a suicidal crisis develops after the study is initiated, patients will be withdrawn 
from the protocol, hospitalized if necessary, and treated with whatever type of therapy seems 
most clinically indicated. Subjects will be asked to provide permission to be contacted if they 
miss sessions to help ensure close monitoring of their conditions.  
 
 
c. Plan for reporting unanticipated problems or study deviations. 
 
Reports will be made to the IRB and necessary healthcare providers in the event of an 
unanticipated problems or study deviations. The study team will follow IRB protocol to 
determine if a deviation or problem needs to be reported immediately or if it can be reported 
at the yearly continuing review. All serious adverse events will be reported to the IRB 
immediately by the PI. 
 
d. Legal risks such as the risks that would be associated with breach of confidentiality. 
 
Confidentiality: Careful procedures will be employed to protect the confidentiality of all 
participants.  Participants will be assigned unique ID identifiers not associated with personally 
identifying information.  These will be used on all interview protocols and lab results.  No 
identifying information other than the unique ID will appear on interview protocols. All data 
files and analyses will be performed on research computers using only code numbers to identify 
participants. Only summaries of group data will be reported in any publications or 
presentations, with no identification of individuals. All study personnel will maintain their 
certification in the Protection of Human Subjects training program prior to participating in the 
research. Only authorized persons will be granted access to enter and view study data. Subject 
IDs with subject names will be kept in CRMS and only designated personnel on the research 
team will have access. Charts containing subject data for active subjects will be kept in a locked 
filing cabinet or room and will be identified only by subject ID. All precautions will be taken to 
protect the confidentiality of the study participants. As with participation in any research study 
there is a slight risk of a breach in the security procedures that would affect the confidentiality 
of the research participant. Every effort will be employed to minimize this risk. If such a breach 
occurs, the research participant will be informed as well as the IRB. 
 
e. Financial risks to the participants. 
 
Not applicable. 
 
 
4. 
Benefits 
a. 
Description of the probable benefits for the participant and for society. 


 
A potential benefit of this study is that the treatment may reduce symptoms, however, this is 
not guaranteed. This study will benefit society in general, by advancing knowledge of PMD 
psychophysiology, an understudied area. We believe that the risks associated with this study 
are small, compared to the benefits participants may receive from participating. Any treatment 
for PMD is associated with some chance of failure to respond or subsequent relapse or 
recurrence. 
 
5. 
Payment and Remuneration 
a. 
Detail compensation for participants including possible total compensation, 
proposed bonus, and any proposed reductions or penalties for not completing 
the protocol. 
 
Participants will be compensated $25 at Baseline for the completion of patient and clinician 
ratings and $75 at each visit for completing Test Days 1-3.  
 
Participants will receive $10 for each DRSP they submit.  Then, at the end of their study 
participation, they will receive the remainder to amount to $100 total.  Every participant who 
turns in all DRSP ratings on time and completes study participation will receive the same $100, 
but the speed at which she receives this will depend on the speed at which she turns in her 
DRSP. This system only applies to DRSPs received after study enrolment, not DRSPs used as a 
study screening tool prior to consent. Participants will only receive payments for DRSPs that are 
filled out according to study instructions. If it becomes apparent that a participant has been 
filling out her DRSP retrospectively and not in real time, or she turns in DRSPs with missing 
dates, she will not receive compensation for that month’s DRSP and will receive $10 less at the 
of her study participation. 
 
 Participants who complete the entire study (Baseline – Test Day 3) with all data complete will 
receive a total of $350. 
 
6. 
Costs 
a. 
Detail costs of study procedure(s) or drug (s) or substance(s) to participants and 
identify who will pay for them. 
N/A 
 
 
Statistical Analysis Plan 
 
 Study Statistics 
b. Primary outcome variable. 
 
• ASR magnitude: 


o During the luteal phase vs the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle in women 
with PMDs, compared to luteal and follicular ASR in healthy female controls.  
o While anticipating a mild shock during the luteal phase vs the follicular phase of 
the menstrual cycle in women with PMDs, compared to luteal and follicular ASR 
in healthy female controls.  
o During luteal phase treatment with an SSRI vs the follicular phase of the menstrual 
cycle in women with PMDs, compared to luteal and follicular ASR in healthy 
female controls.  
 
c. Secondary outcome variables. 
 
• Hormone levels (estrogen, progesterone) 
 
d. Statistical plan including sample size justification and interim data analysis. 
Sample Size Determination 
Based upon preliminary data from 12 women, we have estimated our main outcome, difference 
in anxiety-potentiated ASR in both controls and women with PMDD. We observed an SD 11.7 
for change in follicular to luteal anxiety-potentiated ASR in controls, and an SD 13.6 increase in 
anxiety-potentiated ASR from follicular to luteal in PMDD participants. Assuming the larger of 
the observed SD, a 15% attrition rate, 80% power, type I error of 5%, equal group sizes, and a 
detectible effect size is 0.77 SD, we will recruit 32 women per group, to have 27 per group with 
complete data. We hypothesize that change in startle response between follicular and luteal 
phases of the menstrual cycle will be unchanged in controls, and represents an increase of 10.5 
μV in women with PMDD. This increase would be consistent with that seen in other populations 
that have participated in the NPU paradigm55. Regarding the exploratory aim to examine effect 
of childhood adversity on ASR, if 30% (consistent with our sample to date) of the sample are in 
the high ACE (ACE score ≥2) group, we will be able to detect an effect size of 0.85 SD. 
Statistical Methods 
Descriptive statistics will be used to characterize the demographic characteristics of the group 
and provide measures of central tendency for all outcome measures. Correlations among 
outcome variables will be assessed. For each outcome measure, T-tests will be used to compare 
pre-treatment to post-treatment scores. Linear regression and logistic regression will be used 
to examine relationships between outcome variables.  
 
The main data analysis will focus on the amplitude of the eye-blink. For Aims 1 & 2, the data 
will be compared across conditions and groups. For the primary outcome of baseline ASR 
magnitude over the menstrual cycle, peak amplitude of the blink reflex will be determined in 
the 20–120-ms time frame following stimulus onset relative to baseline (baseline is the average 
baseline EMG level for the 50 ms immediately preceding auditory stimulus onset). Cued fear is 
measured as the difference between startle magnitude during cues and startle magnitude 
during intertrial intervals (ITI; when no cues are given), and contextual anxiety is measured as 


startle magnitude during ITI (no cues). Initially, data will be examined descriptively using means, 
standard deviations and graphs. Each outcome will be tested for normality using Kolmogorov–
Smirnov test statistics and normal probability plots. Mixed models will be used to evaluate the 
magnitude of baseline ASR and ASR during threat of shock. The model will include group 
(healthy females and females with PMD) as a between-participant factor, and phase (follicular 
and luteal) as a within-participant factor. The interaction between group and phase will also be 
modeled.  
 
For Aim 3, we will examine the effect of SSRI treatment among PMD participants. We will use 
mixed models to compare luteal phase baseline ASR pre and post treatment.  
Subject Population(s) for Analysis 
Analyses may be performed on the following subgroups within the sample: 
• All Enrolled: Baseline symptom, demographic, and diagnostic data from all enrolled 
participants will be evaluated. 
• Intent to Treat:  Any subject who completed at least one study visit. 
• Protocol completers: Any subject who completed the full protocol