title: Propranolol's impact on cognitive performance in post-traumatic stress disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Propranolol has effectively diminished fear-based emotional memories in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and this effect has been attributed to traumatic memory reconsolidation blockade. However, propranolol may also exert cognitive effects by modulating stress and arousal.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial, propranolol's impact on cognitive functioning was examined in individuals who were diagnosed with chronic PTSD. Participants received a single dose of 1mg/kg of propranolol (n=20) or placebo (n=21), and completed subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale third edition (WAIS-III). PTSD symptoms were assessed 1 week before and after treatment by the Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES-R).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The propranolol group performed significantly better on the Processing Speed composite measure compared to the placebo group. Furthermore, greater heart rate decreases were associated with higher Perceptual Organization performance, within the propranolol group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The generalizability of results may have been reduced as participants were treatment seeking; the sample size was small and included a greater proportion of females.This study could not assess whether pre-existing psychological function influenced cognitive performance, post-trauma. Future studies might consider including a non-PTSD control group to determine if our findings are specific to propranolol's effect on PTSD associated cognitive impairment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our preliminary results demonstrated that cognitive functioning improved following propranolol administration in PTSD patients. The implications are discussed with regards to the processing of traumatic events.
authors.affiliation: Integrated Graduate Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, 3801 University Street Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2B4; Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Verdun, Quebec, Canada H4H 1R3.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahabir
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean Jacques Lussier, Vanier Hall, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 6N5. Electronic address: andrea.ashbaugh@uottawa.ca.
authors.forename: Andrea R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ashbaugh
authors.affiliation: Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Verdun, Quebec, Canada H4H 1R3.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Saumier
authors.affiliation: Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Verdun, Quebec, Canada H4H 1R3; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, 1033 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1A1.
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tremblay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057567:Memory, Long-Term / Q000187:drug effects*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011433:Propranolol
keywords: Cognition; PTSD; Propranolol