Propranolol Inhibits Reactivation of Fear Memory

Most of the U.S. population will experience a life-threatening and incredibly stressful experience at some point in their lives. Of these individuals, many will go on to develop the persistent and debilitating symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), such as anxiety, sleep disturbances, and intrusive thoughts (1). Individuals who suffer from PTSD often exhibit heightened fear responses and/or resistance to extinction learning. Cognitive behavioral therapy alone has proven ineffective for many patients, and there has been a surge of interest in whether pharmacological interventions can be used alongside cognitive behavioral therapy to support the treatment of PTSD.
Source: Biological Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Commentary Source Type: research