Abstract
Animal studies have shown that fear memories can change when recalled, a process referred to as reconsolidation. We found that oral administration of the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol before memory reactivation in humans erased the behavioral expression of the fear memory 24 h later and prevented the return of fear. Disrupting the reconsolidation of fear memory opens up new avenues for providing a long-term cure for patients with emotional disorders.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Acoustic Stimulation / methods
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Adolescent
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Adult
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Extinction, Psychological / drug effects
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Extinction, Psychological / physiology*
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Fear / drug effects
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Fear / physiology*
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Fear / psychology*
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Memory / drug effects
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Memory / physiology
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Propranolol / pharmacology
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Reaction Time / drug effects
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Reaction Time / physiology*
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Reflex, Startle / drug effects
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Reflex, Startle / physiology
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Young Adult