Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-94d59 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-18T22:01:54.504Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Propranolol treatment of traumatic memories

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Robin P. D. Menzies*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Saskatchewan, Knox Manse, 505 4th Avenue North, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7K 2M5, Canada. Email: bogey@sasktel.net
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Type
Correspondence
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2009 

Jonathan Reference BissonBisson (2007) discusses the use of propranolol in the prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder, reported in a study by Reference Pitman, Sanders and ZusmanPitman et al (2002). The latter found encouraging results with patients who had experienced very recent trauma. Reference Brunet, Orr and TremblayBrunet et al (2008) reported similar findings in patients with long-term traumatic memories (mean duration of about 10 years). These studies, as well as one by Reference Vaiva, Ducrocq and JezequelVaiva et al (2003), recorded physiological measures such as heart rate, but did not report on any clinical benefits, for example reduced distress or changes in the integrity of the traumatic memories.

Almost a decade ago, Reference Nader, Schafe and Le DouxNader et al (2000) rekindled the reconsolidation hypothesis of memory. In brief, it proposes that when long-term memories are reactivated through retrieval, they remain labile for several hours before conversion to long-term memory. During this period they are susceptible to amnestic agents such as propranolol. It is thought that propranolol blocks the adrenaline-induced state of high arousal, which is believed to be important in giving traumatic memories their unique quality, including the potency and immediacy they possess (Reference PitmanPitman, 1989).

To explore any clinical benefits in terms of reducing distress and changes in memory integrity, I have treated six patients with a single dose of propranolol, sometimes in conjunction with a single dose of long-acting propranolol. They were asked to retrieve their traumatic memories by talking about them. Bringing these memories into immediate memory was accompanied by varying degrees of visible distress, anxiety and dissociation. They were given propranolol within 3 h of retrieval.

One patient with a 38-year-old memory, who had been on regular atenolol for 14 years, reported no change in the intensity, frequency, integrity or distress associated with the traumatic memory. The other five patients, with memories ranging in age from 4 months to 31 years, all reported improvement. This included ‘fragmentation’ of the memory and difficulty accessing it, minimal or absent distress when thinking about it and a feeling of emotional detachment, as if it were a normal non-traumatic memory or had happened to someone else. Post-treatment, several of the patients requested propranolol treatment for other traumatic memories. Benefits have been maintained for up to 4 months, with no relapse to date. None of the patients reported any negative effects from retrieving the memory, even the patient who did not respond, and side-effects from propranolol (sedation, dry mouth) were mild and transient.

These clinical cases suggest that propranolol may prove to be effective, cheap, simple and safe in the treatment of traumatic memories, which are characteristic of post-traumatic stress disorder. However, randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm any efficacy of this treatment.

References

Bisson, JI (2007) Pharmacological treatments of post-traumatic stress disorder. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment; 13: 119–26.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brunet, A, Orr, SP, Tremblay, J et al (2008) Effects of post-retrieval propranolol on psychophysiologic responding during subsequent script-driven traumatic imagery in post-traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Psychiatric Research; 42: 503–6.Google Scholar
Nader, K, Schafe, G, Le Doux, J (2000) Fear memories require protein synthesis in the amygdala for reconsolidation after retrieval. Nature; 406: 722–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pitman, R (1989) Post-traumatic stress disorder, hormones and memory. Biological Psychiatry; 26: 221–3.Google Scholar
Pitman, R, Sanders, K, Zusman, R et al (2002) Pilot study of secondary prevention of posttraumatic stress disorder with propranolol. Biological Psychiatry; 51: 189–92.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vaiva, G, Ducrocq, F, Jezequel, K et al (2003) Immediate treatment with propranolol decreases posttraumatic stress disorder two months after trauma. Biological Psychiatry; 54: 947–9.Google Scholar
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.