Disruption of Memory Reconsolidating as a Treatment for Panic Disorder

VU University of Amsterdam

Status and phase: Unknown; Phase 2

Conditions: Panic Disorder

Treatments: Other: Compressed air; Drug: Propranolol; Other: Carbon dioxide; Drug: Placebo

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02631694

MKAEWC1

Details and patient eligibility

About

Animal and human fear conditioning studies have repeatedly shown that administering propranolol before or after retrieval of a previously acquired fear results in an elimination of the fear expression. This approach, known as disruption of fear memory reconsolidation, is a promising new avenue for treating anxiety disorders. The present study aims to test its efficacy in patients with panic disorder.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• a primary diagnosis of panic disorder according to DSM-V
• written approval of an independent physician for participation

Exclusion criteria

• other relevant treatment for panic disorder at the time of study - e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• diagnosis of depression
• diagnosis of psychosis
• use of psychotropic medication
• history of pulmonary diseases
• metabolic acidosis
• history of cardiovascular diseases
• heart problems among first-degree relatives
• heart rate (HR) < 60
• blood pressure (BP) < 90-60 or BP > 170-100
• history of black-outs or fainting
• diabetes
• liver or kidney diseases
• hyperactive production of thyroid hormones
• epilepsy
• any medication contra-indicative of the use of propranolol
• pregnancy

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

---

60 participants in 3 patient groups, including a placebo group

Fear reactivation with propranolol

Experimental group

Treatment:

Drug: Propranolol

Other: Carbon dioxide

Fear reactivation with placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Treatment:

Drug: Placebo

Other: Carbon dioxide

No fear reactivation with propranolol

Placebo Comparator group

Treatment:

Other: Compressed air

Drug: Propranolol