Safety, Tolerability and Activity of SRX246 in Adults With Intermittent Explosive Disorder

This exploratory Phase II study has been designed to examine the safety and tolerability profile, and to compare the activity of the novel V1a vasopressin antagonist (SRX246) against placebo, in adults with DSM-5 Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED). Adult Male and Female subjects with a current DSM-5 diagnosis of IED will be enrolled. All subjects will undergo systematic diagnostic assessment for DSM-5 Axis I and II disorders. Subjects with DSM-5 IED (without current, co-morbid, DSM-5 Major Depression) whose: (a) Life History of Aggression (LHA) score is \> 12, (b) Overt Aggression Scale Modified (OAS-M) "Irritability" score is \> 6 and, (c) screening OAS-M "Aggression" score is \> 15, will be entered into a two-week baseline lead-in phase. After the lead-in phase, study subjects who continue to meet OAS-M criteria will be randomized to one of the two (2) treatment conditions and stratified by gender so that equal numbers of males and females are assigned to SRX246 and Placebo Groups. Those who do not meet the criteria will exit the protocol at that time. Treatment Conditions: (a) 8-week course of SRX246 (4 weeks at 120 mg bid, and 4 weeks at 160 mg bid) or (b) 8-week course of Placebo, followed by a one-week "taper" to withdraw subjects from study medication. IED subjects in all conditions will have structured diagnostic interview sessions and questionnaires administered throughout the trial. Blinding to treatment condition will be maintained by using different personnel for these activities. Analysis of a change from baseline in the diagnostic measures will be performed.