Attenuating the persistence of fear memory storage using a single dose of antidepressant

Abstract

Enhanced memory for emotionally arousing events is a highly adaptive phenomenon that helps us remember both dangerous and favorable situations. However, under certain conditions, intrusive and persistent traumatic memories can lead to anxiety disorders, like posttraumatic stress disorder. Current therapies for anxiety disorders involve pharmacological or behavioral manipulations of long-lasting fear memories in which patients explicitly recall the painful traumatic experience. Despite recent advances, a major question of how to effectively attenuate persistent fear memories in a safe and less distressful manner remains unresolved.