Lynnette A. Averill, PhD
Assistant Professor Adjunct of PsychiatryCards
About
Research
Publications
2025
Supportive Touch in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy
Neitzke-Spruill L, Beit C, Averill L, McGuire A. Supportive Touch in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy. The American Journal Of Bioethics 2025, 25: 29-39. PMID: 39804300, DOI: 10.1080/15265161.2024.2433428.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPost-traumatic stress disorderPsychedelic-assisted therapyTreating post-traumatic stress disorderPsychedelic assisted therapyMDMA-ATStress disorderPsychological interventionsUnlicensed therapistsIncidents of misconductPsychedelicsCases of misconductFuture abuseSexual misconductHarm reductionAssisted therapyClinical contextMisconductWhole clothU.S. Food and Drug AdministrationMDMADrug AdministrationTherapistsAbuseDisordersFood and Drug Administration
2024
Medial prefrontal cortex neurotransmitter abnormalities in posttraumatic stress disorder with and without comorbidity to major depression
Swanberg K, Prinsen H, Averill C, Campos L, Kurada A, Krystal J, Petrakis I, Averill L, Rothman D, Abdallah C, Juchem C. Medial prefrontal cortex neurotransmitter abnormalities in posttraumatic stress disorder with and without comorbidity to major depression. NMR In Biomedicine 2024, 37: e5220. PMID: 39054694, DOI: 10.1002/nbm.5220.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPosttraumatic stress disorderMedial prefrontal cortexStress disorderPosttraumatic stress disorder patientsPosttraumatic stress disorder diagnosisChronic psychiatric conditionImpact of psychiatric comorbiditiesComorbid MDDPrefrontal cortexDepressive disorderTraumatic stressorsPsychiatric conditionsMDDPsychiatric comorbiditiesNeurotransmitter abnormalitiesConcentrations of glutamateMetabolite abnormalitiesHealthy controlsDisordersPattern of abnormalitiesParticipantsGlutamateIn vivo protonMetabolic abnormalitiesDepressionFindings of PTSD-specific deficits in default mode network strength following a mild experimental stressor
Averill C, Averill L, Akiki T, Fouda S, Krystal J, Abdallah C. Findings of PTSD-specific deficits in default mode network strength following a mild experimental stressor. NPP—Digital Psychiatry And Neuroscience 2024, 2: 9. PMID: 38919723, PMCID: PMC11197271, DOI: 10.1038/s44277-024-00011-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPosttraumatic stress disorderMajor depressive disorderConnectivity deficitsConnection strengthPrimary diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorderExperimental stressorsDiagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorderResting-state functional magnetic resonance imagingFunctional magnetic resonance imagingVentromedial prefrontal cortexDMN connectivity strengthStress-induced reductionEffect of groupDMN alterationsPrefrontal cortexDepressive disorderDMN connectivityStressor taskStress disorderBrain region(sAcute stressorFunctional connectivityDMNExploratory analysisDeficits366. The Effect of Early Life Trauma on Prefrontal Synaptic Strength in Major Depressive and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders
Del Motte M, Tamman A, Jiang L, Averill C, Mason G, Averill L, Abdallah C. 366. The Effect of Early Life Trauma on Prefrontal Synaptic Strength in Major Depressive and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders. Biological Psychiatry 2024, 95: s249. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.02.865.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBio-Psycho-Spiritual Perspectives on Psychedelics: Clinical and Ethical Implications.
Neitzke-Spruill L, Devenot N, Sisti D, Averill L, McGuire A. Bio-Psycho-Spiritual Perspectives on Psychedelics: Clinical and Ethical Implications. Perspectives In Biology And Medicine 2024, 67: 117-142. PMID: 38662068, DOI: 10.1353/pbm.2024.a919715.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2023
Anti-suicidal effects of IV ketamine in a real-world setting
O'Brien B, Lee J, Kim S, Nandra G, Pannu P, Tamman A, Amarneh D, Swann A, Murphy N, Averill L, Jha M, Mathew S. Anti-suicidal effects of IV ketamine in a real-world setting. Psychiatry Research 2023, 331: 115604. PMID: 38064911, DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115604.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsKetamine treatmentIntravenous ketamine treatmentProportion of patientsAnti-suicidal effectsGroup of patientsTwo-week courseKetamine effectsSymptoms of suicidalityPatientsReal-world settingClinical samplesRapid improvementTrajectory groupsBaselinePossible effectivenessTreatmentScoresKetamineSymptomsGradual improvementSuicidalityDemographic variablesPresent studyHigher scoresCurrent studyCannabis-assisted psychotherapy for complex dissociative posttraumatic stress disorder: A case report
Ragnhildstveit A, Kaiyo M, Snyder M, Jackson L, Lopez A, Mayo C, Miranda A, August R, Seli P, Robison R, Averill L. Cannabis-assisted psychotherapy for complex dissociative posttraumatic stress disorder: A case report. Frontiers In Psychiatry 2023, 14: 1051542. PMID: 36846226, PMCID: PMC9947284, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1051542.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPosttraumatic stress disorderStress disorderD-PTSDIntegrative cognitive behavioral therapyCognitive behavioral therapyDissociative posttraumatic stress disorderMeeting criteriaEmotional breakthroughPsychosocial functioningBehavioral therapyDissociative subtypeOceanic boundlessnessNaturalistic settingDissociative symptomsMultidimensional InventoryPsychedelic therapyPathological dissociationEmotional sufferingEgo dissolutionSubjective effectsPsychotherapyPTSDFifth editionStatistical ManualMental disordersProspective associations of psychedelic treatment for co-occurring alcohol misuse and posttraumatic stress symptoms among United States Special Operations Forces Veterans
Armstrong S, Xin Y, Sepeda N, Polanco M, Averill L, Davis A. Prospective associations of psychedelic treatment for co-occurring alcohol misuse and posttraumatic stress symptoms among United States Special Operations Forces Veterans. Military Psychology 2023, 36: 184-191. PMID: 38377244, PMCID: PMC10880491, DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2022.2156200.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPost-traumatic stress disorderRisky alcohol useAlcohol useRisky drinkersProspective associationsCognitive functioning changesAlcohol misuseCo-occurring alcohol misusePosttraumatic stress symptomsFuture clinical trialsPTSD symptomsComplex traumaPsychedelic-assisted therapyStress disorderStress symptomsClinical characteristicsClinical trialsDMT treatmentPsychedelic treatmentTraditional interventionsTreatment programSignificant reductionSymptomsRespondersTreatmentRegistered clinical trials investigating ketamine and esketamine for treatment-resistant depression: A systematic review
Brendle M, Ragnhildstveit A, Slayton M, Smart L, Cunningham S, Zimmerman M, Seli P, Gaffrey M, Averill L, Robison R. Registered clinical trials investigating ketamine and esketamine for treatment-resistant depression: A systematic review. Journal Of Psychedelic Studies 2023, 6: 176-187. DOI: 10.1556/2054.2022.00234.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTreatment-resistant depressionMontgomery-Asberg Depression Rating ScaleDepression Rating ScaleLate-phase trialsTrial eligibilityPatient characteristicsDrug regimensClinical outcomesResults databaseRegistered trialsClinical trialsTreatment responseEsketaminePharmacological approachesPRISMA guidelinesCombination treatmentMost trialsClinical practiceElectronic registryKetamineSystematic reviewFinal reviewTherapeutic useQualitative synthesisStudy designThe potential of ketamine for posttraumatic stress disorder: a review of clinical evidence
Ragnhildstveit A, Roscoe J, Bass L, Averill C, Abdallah C, Averill L. The potential of ketamine for posttraumatic stress disorder: a review of clinical evidence. Therapeutic Advances In Psychopharmacology 2023, 13: 20451253231154125. PMID: 36895431, PMCID: PMC9989422, DOI: 10.1177/20451253231154125.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPosttraumatic stress disorderClinical evidenceStress disorderMethyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonistLow patient engagementRobust antidepressant effectsOpen-label studyOnset of actionPotential of ketamineQuality of lifeMedical comorbiditiesAntidepressant effectsChart reviewRefractory casesDisease chronicityClinical presentationRandomized trialsCase reportDevastating conditionReceptor antagonistMajor depressionPharmacological approachesPsychiatric disordersPharmacological agentsTherapeutic safety
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
AMPA Receptor Components of the Anti-Depressant Ketamine Response
HIC ID2000021345RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date06/30/2032Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18 years - 65 yearsImaging SV2A in mood disorders
HIC ID1511016789RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date03/15/2022Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18 years - 70 yearsIntensive 7-day Treatment for PTSD Combining Ketamine With Exposure Therapy (PTSD)
HIC ID1509016530RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date08/01/2030Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge21 years - 70 years
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
News
News
- January 04, 2021
Three Yale-Led Studies Named Leading Research Achievements by BBRF
- May 08, 2020Source: Science
Clinical Trials Press on for Conditions Other Than COVID-19. Will the Pandemic’s Effects Sneak Into Their Data?
- January 28, 2020
Three Faculty Honored With VA Career Development Award
- December 01, 2019
Yale Review: How Brain Alterations Contribute to Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors
Get In Touch
Contacts
Academic Office Number
Secondary Academic Office Number
Mailing Address
Emerge Research Program
Attn: National Center for PTSD - Clinical Neurosciences Div., 950 Campbell Avenue
West Haven, CT 06516
United States