NCT00611871

The Use of Propranolol to Block Memory Reconsolidation in PTSD

The Use of Propranolol to Block Memory Reconsolidation in Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD)

• Status: Terminated
• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 12 (actual)
• Sponsor: Wayne State University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 45 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this investigation is to see if propranolol will reduce the psychophysiological hyperactivation associated with memories of combat stress in Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Detailed description

The goal of this translational research project is to generate a pilot sample of data from an investigation of a novel therapeutic approach to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Current treatments for PTSD include exposure and other aspects of cognitive therapy as well as drug therapies based on serotonin-reuptake inhibiting antidepressant agents. However, these treatments are often unsuccessful, and symptoms in affected individuals may persist for decades. The central hypothesis guiding this research project posits that acquired fear responses, such as those in PTSD, when reactivated by recall become sensitive to noradrenergic modulation and thus may be permanently attenuated by blocking noradrenergic transmission. Further, we predict that this attenuation will facilitate subsequent therapy. In the current study, we will be investigating this model in three groups of Veterans of either Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) with PTSD: 1) Individuals who receive propranolol following recall of a traumatic memory (Propranolol-trauma); 2) Individuals who receive a placebo following recall of a traumatic memory (Placebo-trauma), and; 3) Individuals who receive propranolol following recall of an affective neutral memory (Propranolol-neutral). In addition, traumatic memory recall will be psychophysiologically assessed by measuring Veterans' facial corrugator electromyography (EMG), skin conductance, blood pressure and cardiovascular inter-beat interval responses pre- and one month post-medication administration.

Conditions

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorders

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Propranolol	40mg propranolol, followed 2 hrs after with 60mg propranolol, immediately following memory recollection
DRUG	Placebo	40mg placebo, followed 2 hrs after with 60mg placebo

Timeline

• Start date: 2007-09-01
• Primary completion: 2015-08-01
• Completion: 2015-09-01
• First posted: 2008-02-11
• Last updated: 2016-11-01

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States