US researchers have found a drug-free way to block fearful memories, opening up the possibility of new treatment approaches for problems such as post traumatic stress disorder.
The findings in people build on studies in rats that showed that reactivating a memory – by showing people objects that stimulate the fearful memory – opens up a specific time window in which the memory can be edited before it is stored again.
“Before memories are stored, there is a period where they are susceptible to being disrupted,” Elizabeth Phelps of New York University said.
Her study was published in the journal Nature.
Earlier studies have shown that drugs could be used to block fearful memories, but the results did not last long.
Read more at News.com.au
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/12December/Pages/fight-fear-phobia-therapy-test.aspx
Slightly better coverage of the research…
My husband suffers from ptsd and I don’t like the sound of this at all. This sounds like it could go very wrong.
But HOW did they do it?
Similar to desensitisation? I have a few memories i’d like zapped lol
this is good if you can remember what it was that traumatized you. not everybody can.
Get back on the horse rightaway after having fallen from it .. What’s new about this? Lot of words … time window blabbering.. whereas it is the ancient method .. However, some will not be able te get rid of certain fears .. or refuse to get trained ..
I agree with you Sylv I suffer from PTSD myself and having suffered the dubious “benefits” of therapy and medication I don’t think I would let these guys monkey with my brain unless one of them was holding a gun on me…. To paraphrase Doctor Who:) “fixing” the human mind with human science is like fixing a Swiss watch with a hammer and chisel.