Adolescent Substance Abuse Articles
Unexpected discovery may lead to new PTSD treatment
By Staff Writer
Scientists from the University of California, Los Angeles have made a discovery that may lead to a new treatment for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other anxiety-related conditions.
When people or animals experience trauma, they may learn to fear the location where the traumatic experience took place, or any other signals present at the time of this frightening occurrence.
The researchers turned their attention to connecting channels in the brain known as gap junctions, which may lead to the creation of fear memories. In a study, researchers used several drugs to block these channels in rats. Scientists administered an injection of drugs in a cavity near the abdomen right after trauma had occurred. This proved to be as effective as an injection directly into the brain.
It was discovered that the injection of drugs prevented fear memories associated with places from forming following a frightening experience.
These findings were an unexpected surprise for researchers, who felt they were taking what they referred to as a “long shot.” The results have led the scientists to believe that neuronal gap junctions may be unexplored drug targets for the treatment of conditions such as PTSD.
