Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common condition for which existing treatments are ineffective for many patients. Recent discoveries in the neurobiology of learning and memory, along with expanding knowledge of how those systems are impacted by the biology of the stress response, have opened new arenas for potential medication treatments for PTSD. We conducted a review of registered clinical trials investigating the efficacy of new agents for PTSD. The glucocoritcoid and adrenergic signaling systems are the most frequent targets of these investigational approaches to the prevention and treatment of PTSD. Additional trials are evaluating modulation of other CNS targets, including neurosteroids, glutamate, gamma-amino butyric acid, endocannabinoids, oxytocin, neurokinin/Substance P, and dopamine. A particularly exciting area of research is studies examining Medication-Enhanced Psychotherapy (MEP). Medications provided before or after exposure therapy for PTSD can enhance outcomes by: 1) strengthening learning and memory of fear extinction; 2) disrupting reconsolidation, thereby weakening fear memories; or 3) facilitating engagement in psychotherapy by reducing fear and enhancing openness to experience. The next few years promise to produce insight into the neurobiology and clinical efficacy of several novel approaches in the pharmacologic treatment and prevention of PTSD.
Keywords: Psychotherapy, anti-anxiety agents, antidepressants, memory, glucocorticoids, adrenergic beta-antagonists, PTSD, corticotropinreleasing hormone.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:Pharmacological Innovations for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Medication- Enhanced Psychotherapy
Volume: 18 Issue: 35
Author(s): Boadie W. Dunlop, Erika Mansson and Maryrose Gerardi
Affiliation:
Keywords: Psychotherapy, anti-anxiety agents, antidepressants, memory, glucocorticoids, adrenergic beta-antagonists, PTSD, corticotropinreleasing hormone.
Abstract: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common condition for which existing treatments are ineffective for many patients. Recent discoveries in the neurobiology of learning and memory, along with expanding knowledge of how those systems are impacted by the biology of the stress response, have opened new arenas for potential medication treatments for PTSD. We conducted a review of registered clinical trials investigating the efficacy of new agents for PTSD. The glucocoritcoid and adrenergic signaling systems are the most frequent targets of these investigational approaches to the prevention and treatment of PTSD. Additional trials are evaluating modulation of other CNS targets, including neurosteroids, glutamate, gamma-amino butyric acid, endocannabinoids, oxytocin, neurokinin/Substance P, and dopamine. A particularly exciting area of research is studies examining Medication-Enhanced Psychotherapy (MEP). Medications provided before or after exposure therapy for PTSD can enhance outcomes by: 1) strengthening learning and memory of fear extinction; 2) disrupting reconsolidation, thereby weakening fear memories; or 3) facilitating engagement in psychotherapy by reducing fear and enhancing openness to experience. The next few years promise to produce insight into the neurobiology and clinical efficacy of several novel approaches in the pharmacologic treatment and prevention of PTSD.
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Cite this article as:
W. Dunlop Boadie, Mansson Erika and Gerardi Maryrose, Pharmacological Innovations for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Medication- Enhanced Psychotherapy, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2012; 18 (35) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161212803530899
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161212803530899 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
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