Medication May Help PTSD Patients Recall Fewer Negative Memories

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A study posted online May 18 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism suggests that blocking cortisol could be an effective treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder. The cortisol was blocked by metyrapone, a drug used in the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency and occassionaly Cushing's syndrome. Researchers found that four days after administration of metyrapone, subjects had far less recall of negative emotional components of a story shown in a video.

Psychiatric News previously reported on another drug that may be useful for the treatment of PTSD--morphine. Researchers found that administering morphine immediately following injury or during resuscitation or early trauma care led to significantly less risk of PTSD. For more information, see http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/content/45/5/14.2.full.