Neural and Pharmacological Correlates of Intrusions in Patients With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2013-03-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
There is evidence that glucocorticoids have an impact on intrusive memories in patients with
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Hydrocortisone impairs intrusive memory retrieval
whereas dexamethasone should strengthen intrusions in PTSD. We, the investigators, want to
investigate (1) the effect of these two glucocorticoids on traumatic memories and (2) assess
the neural correlates using the script-driven imagery paradigm in the functional magnetic
resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner. We hypothesize that intrusive memories are less intensive
under hydrocortisone-administration and more intense under dexamethasone-administration
comparing both to a placebo-condition. Regarding the neural activation pattern we expect
higher activation in the hydrocortisone condition in the amygdala, the hippocampus and the
medial prefrontal cortex compared to the placebo-condition and less activation in the
dexamethasone-condition compared to the placebo-condition.