Brief Communication abstract
Nature Neuroscience 12, 256 - 258 (2009)
Published online: 15 February 2009 | doi:10.1038/nn.2271
Beyond extinction: erasing human fear responses and preventing the return of fear
Merel Kindt1, Marieke Soeter1 & Bram Vervliet1
Animal studies have shown that fear memories can change when recalled, a process referred to as reconsolidation. We found that oral administration of the 
-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol before memory reactivation in humans erased the behavioral expression of the fear memory 24 h later and prevented the return of fear. Disrupting the reconsolidation of fear memory opens up new avenues for providing a long-term cure for patients with emotional disorders.
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Roetersstraat 15, 1018 WB Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Correspondence to: Merel Kindt1 e-mail: m.kindt@uva.nl
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