Nitrous oxide speeds the reduction of distressing intrusive memories in an experimental model of psychological trauma.
Psychol Med
; 46(8): 1749-59, 2016 06.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26937942
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) involves maladaptive long-term memory formation which underlies involuntary intrusive thoughts about the trauma. Preventing the development of such maladaptive memory is a key aim in preventing the development of PTSD. We examined whether the N-methyl d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist gas nitrous oxide (N2O) could reduce the frequency of intrusive memories by inhibiting NMDAR-dependent memory consolidation in a laboratory analogue of psychological trauma.METHOD:
Participants were randomized to inhale N2O (N = 25) or medical air (N = 25) after viewing a negatively valenced emotional film clip ('trauma film'). Participants subsequently completed a daily diary assessing frequency of intrusive thoughts relating to the film clip. A week later, participants completed an explicit memory recall task related to the film.RESULTS:
Post-encoding N2O sped the reduction in intrusive memory frequency, with a significant reduction by the next day in the N2O group compared to 4 days later in the air group. N2O also interacted with post-film dissociation, producing increased intrusion frequency in those who were highly dissociated at baseline. Sleep length and quality the night after viewing the film did not differ between the groups.CONCLUSION:
N2O speeds the reduction of intrusive analogue trauma memory in a time-dependent manner, consistent with sleep-dependent long-term consolidation disruption. Further research with this drug is warranted to determine its potential to inoculate against enduring effects of psychological trauma; however, caution is also urged in dissociated individuals where N2O may aggravate PTSD-like symptomatology.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Health context:
1_ASSA2030
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8_ODS3_consumo_sustancias_psicoactivas
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
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Memory Consolidation
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Psychological Trauma
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Nitrous Oxide
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
Limits:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Psychol Med
Year:
2016
Document type:
Article