Year: 2021
Type: preprint
Abstract: NMDA receptor antagonists have a vital role in extinction, learning, and reconsolidation processes. During the reconsolidation window, memories are activated into a labile state and can be stored in an altered form. This concept might have significant clinical implications in treating PTSD. Using amygdala activity as a major biomarker of fear response, we tested the potential of a single subanesthetic intravenous infusion of ketamine (NMDA receptor antagonist) to enhance post-retrieval extinction of PTSD trauma memories. Post-extinction, ketamine recipients (vs midazolam) showed a lower amygdala and hippocampus reactivation to trauma memories. Post-retrieval ketamine administration was also associated with decreased connectivity between the amygdala and hippocampus, with no change in amygdala-vmPFC connectivity, which suggests that ketamine may enhance post-retrieval extinction of PTSD trauma memory in humans. These findings demonstrate the capacity to rewrite human traumatic memories and to modulate the fear response for at least 30 days post-extinction.
Source: medRxiv
Institutions: Yale University, VA Connecticut Healthcare System
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, Yale University, Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance, National Institutes of Health, National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Yale Center for Clinical Investigation, Yale School of Medicine
OpenAlex ID: W3179302018