ISSN 1671-3710
CN 11-4766/R
主办:中国科学院心理研究所
出版:科学出版社

Advances in Psychological Science ›› 2016, Vol. 24 ›› Issue (6): 923-933.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1042.2016.00923

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Effect of noradrenergic regulation on prevention and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder

WANG Hongbo; ZHU Xiangru   

  1. (Institute of Cognition and Behavior, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China)
  • Received:2015-07-26 Online:2016-06-15 Published:2016-06-15
  • Contact: Email: zhuxiangru@gmail.com

Abstract:

Exposure to traumatic experience may result in the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The formation of emotional memories following exposure to a traumatic event is an important mechanism for the subsequent development of PTSD. Animal and human research suggests that the development of PTSD may involve the overconsolidation of memories of a traumatic experience. Noradrenergic signaling strengthens the consolidation and reconsolidation of emotional memory. Therefore, the enhancement of noradrenergic signaling during extinction may strengthen the consolidation of extinction memory, whereas the disruption of noradrenergic signaling during consolidation and reconsolidation may abolish the pathological emotional component of memories, thus alleviating PTSD.

Key words: noradrenergic, consolidation, extinction, reconsolidation, posttraumatic stress disorder