NCT02552654

Cortisol and the Formation of Intrusive Memories

Cortisol and the Formation of Intrusive Memories: An Experimental Approach With a Trauma Film Paradigm

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (actual)
• Sponsor: Charite University, Berlin, Germany · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 34 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Intrusive memories of traumatic events are core features of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but little is known about the neurobiological formation of intrusions. The aim of this study was to determine whether cortisol levels during an intrusion-inducing stressor influence subsequent intrusive memories.

Detailed description

The investigators conducted an experimental, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 60 healthy women. Prior to watching an established trauma film paradigm that induces short lasting intrusions, participants received a single dose of either 10 mg hydrocortisone or placebo. The number of consecutive intrusions of the trauma film, the mean vividness of the intrusions and the mean degree of distress evoked by the intrusions were assessed during the following seven days. Salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase were collected at seven time points prior to, and after the trauma film.

Conditions

• Intrusive Memories

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Stress Film	Film scene with severe physical and sexual violence.
DRUG	Hydrocortisone	10mg
DRUG	Placebo

Timeline

• Start date: 2015-09-01
• Primary completion: 2015-11-01
• Completion: 2016-01-01
• First posted: 2015-09-17
• Last updated: 2016-10-03