Influence of the Noradrenergic System on the Formation of Intrusive Memories

Charité University Medicine Berlin

Status: Completed

Conditions: Intrusive Memories

Treatments: Drug: Yohimbine; Drug: Clonidine; Behavioral: Stress Film; Drug: placebo

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02541071

Rombold_01

Details and patient eligibility

About

Intrusive memories of traumatic events are core features of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but little is known about the neurobiological formation of intrusions. The aim of this study was to determine whether the activity of the noradrenergic system during an intrusion-inducing stressor influences subsequent intrusive memories.

Full description

The investigators conducted an experimental, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 118 healthy women. Prior to watching an established trauma film paradigm that induces short lasting intrusions, participants received a single dose of either 10 mg yohimbine, stimulating noradrenergic activity, or 0.15 mg clonidine, inhibiting noradrenergic activity, or placebo. The number of consecutive intrusions of the trauma film, the mean vividness of the intrusions and the mean degree of distress evoked by the intrusions were assessed during the following four days. Salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase were collected at seven time points prior to, and after the trauma film.

Enrollment: 118 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 44 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• healthy participants
• German on a native level

Exclusion criteria

• former or present DSM IV Axis I disorders
• physical illnesses
• any medication intake (except oral contraceptive)
• history of sexual abuse or rape
• pregnancy or lactation period

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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118 participants in 3 patient groups

Yohimbine and Stress Film

Experimental group

Description:

Administration of 10mg yohimbine before the trauma film.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Stress Film

Drug: Yohimbine

Placebo and Stress Film

Experimental group

Description:

Administration of placebo before the trauma film.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Stress Film

Drug: placebo

Clonidine and Stress Film

Experimental group

Description:

Administration of 0.15mg clonidine before the trauma film.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Stress Film

Drug: Clonidine