Propranolol Treatment of Traumatic Memories (PTTM)

Summary

This study will compare the responses of subjects with traumatic memories of varying vintages to either propranolol or placebo in a double-blind setting. It is hypothesized that those subjects who receive propranolol will experience less emotional distress when the memory is subsequently reactivated and less spontaneous re-experiences.

Timeline

Start

2010-02

Primary completion

2011-09

Completion

2011-09

Publications

• Background Brunet A, Orr SP, Tremblay J, Robertson K, Nader K, Pitman RK. Effect of post-retrieval propranolol on psychophysiologic responding during subsequent script-driven traumatic imagery in post-traumatic stress disorder. J Psychiatr Res. 2008 May;42(6):503-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2007.05.006. Epub 2007 Jun 22.
• Background Nader K, Schafe GE, Le Doux JE. Fear memories require protein synthesis in the amygdala for reconsolidation after retrieval. Nature. 2000 Aug 17;406(6797):722-6. doi: 10.1038/35021052.
• Background Pitman RK. Post-traumatic stress disorder, hormones, and memory. Biol Psychiatry. 1989 Jul;26(3):221-3. doi: 10.1016/0006-3223(89)90033-4. No abstract available.
• Background Pitman RK, Sanders KM, Zusman RM, Healy AR, Cheema F, Lasko NB, Cahill L, Orr SP. Pilot study of secondary prevention of posttraumatic stress disorder with propranolol. Biol Psychiatry. 2002 Jan 15;51(2):189-92. doi: 10.1016/s0006-3223(01)01279-3.
• Background Vaiva G, Ducrocq F, Jezequel K, Averland B, Lestavel P, Brunet A, Marmar CR. Immediate treatment with propranolol decreases posttraumatic stress disorder two months after trauma. Biol Psychiatry. 2003 Nov 1;54(9):947-9. doi: 10.1016/s0006-3223(03)00412-8.

Drugs

Indications