Reduction of PTSD Symptoms With Pre-Reactivation Propranolol Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Pre-reactivation propranolol, a treatment protocol suggested by reconsolidation theory, appears to be a novel and efficacious treatment for PTSD. Replication studies using a long-term follow-up in various trauma populations are required.

Treatment of military-related post-traumatic stress disorder: challenges, innovations, and the way forward

“…Further work is also underway in combining MDMA with evidence based trauma focused treatments. The use of propranolol, a noradrenergic beta-receptor blocker, as a putative reconsolidation blocker in conjunction with psychotherapy also shows some promise in reducing PTSD symptoms (Brunet et al, 2018).…”

Vagus nerve stimulation as a tool for enhancing extinction in exposure-based therapies

“…Various forms of cognitive behavioral therapies involve re-exposure to reminders of the trauma. Some attempt to interfere with the reconsolidation of the traumatic memory (Brunet et al 2018; Haubrich and Nader 2018), others focus on the trauma with the goal of teaching better coping skills (Resick and Schnicke 1992; Kozel et al 2018). Exposure to reminders of the trauma can result in extinction of conditioned fear, which depends upon the suppression of old learned associations by the formation of new associations (Bouton 2004; Sotres-Bayon et al 2006; Quirk and Mueller 2008).…”

Lest we forget: towards therapeutic amnesia

“…Although promising, studies with longer follow-up and in people with different types of trauma are needed. 4…”

“…1 Exposure therapy -the usual treatment for intrusive, involuntary recollections -does not seem to reverse or remove memories. 4,5 Rather, exposure therapy aims at extinguishing the conditioned fear response associated with the memory. Exposure therapy, however, seems to be effective in only about half of patients.…”