title: Effect of post-retrieval propranolol on psychophysiologic responding during subsequent script-driven traumatic imagery in post-traumatic stress disorder.
abstract: The beta-adrenergic blocker propranolol given within hours of a psychologically traumatic event reduces physiologic responses during subsequent mental imagery of the event. Here we tested the effect of propranolol given after the retrieval of memories of past traumatic events. Subjects with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder described their traumatic event during a script preparation session and then received a one-day dose of propranolol (n=9) or placebo (n=10), randomized and double-blind. A week later, they engaged in script-driven mental imagery of their traumatic event while heart rate, skin conductance, and left corrugator electromyogram were measured. Physiologic responses were significantly smaller in the subjects who had received post-reactivation propranolol a week earlier. Propranolol given after reactivation of the memory of a past traumatic event reduces physiologic responding during subsequent mental imagery of the event in a similar manner to propranolol given shortly after the occurrence of a traumatic event.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Douglas Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brunet
authors.forename: Scott P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Orr
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tremblay
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Karim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nader
authors.forename: Roger K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Pitman
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response / Q000187:drug effects*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011433:Propranolol