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Reconsolidation, Propranolol, Activation, Consolidation, NeuroWave

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books
researchers
videos

For much of the 20th century, the prevailing belief in the scientific community was that memories, once formed, were fixed and unchangeable. This led to the development of traditional therapy modalities that focused on providing tools to help individuals “live with” traumatic memories, rather than attempting to modify or eliminate them.

However, recent advancements in neuroscience have challenged this notion, revealing that memories are more dynamic than previously thought. At The PTSD Solution, we harness these groundbreaking discoveries to offer a cutting-edge approach called reconsolidation therapy, which aims to help our clients overcome PTSD and other trauma-related issues by directly targeting the emotional memory of the traumatic event.

By combining the use of Propranolol to block the protein required for memory consolidation, specialized mismatch techniques during narrative recall, and our proprietary audio soundtrack called NeuroWave, we guide our clients through a process that allows them to update and resolve their traumatic memories, paving the way for lasting relief and recovery.

The Timeline of Memory

M

1885

Herman Ebbinghaus - first publications on memory, describing evaluation methods that scientists still use today

World Believes Memories Are Permanent
M

1959 - Modern Era of Memory

Brenda Milner described the profound effects on memory

M

1969

The founding of the Society for Neuroscience

M

1978 - 1980

Human memory impairment was established.

Multiple memory systems discovered.

M

1980 - 1990 Neuro Brains Scans

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon
Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) were developed.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) was developed

N

2000 - Memory Reconsolidation

Karim Nader - Scientifically proved that Trauma can be removed from Memory. The evidence contradicted entrenched psychological and neurobiological models of memory.

Memories Proven Malleable
Paradigm small2

A significant paradigm shift occurred in the fields of memory research and psychotherapy in 2000.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY…

therapy can treat the cause not symptoms

In the year 2000, a significant paradigm shift occurred in the fields of memory research and psychotherapy when Karim Nader, along with his colleagues, published a groundbreaking study in the journal Nature.

Their research introduced the concept that memories are not static, but are susceptible to modification each time they are recalled—a process known as memory reconsolidation. This discovery has profound implications for therapeutic interventions, particularly for treating conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), where fear-based memories can be pervasive and debilitating.

Nader’s work suggested that by intervening during the memory recall/reconsolidation window, it might be possible to alter or diminish the emotional impact of traumatic memories, thereby offering a new avenue for effective treatment strategies in psychotherapy.

This insight has led to the development of new therapeutic approaches that aim to modify harmful memories, potentially reducing their emotional intensity and transforming the treatment landscape for trauma-related and anxiety disorders.

THE SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES

Reconsolidation, Reactivation, Propranolol, Activation, Mismatch, Consolidation

* Google Scholar has thousands of scientific articles on Memory Reconsolidation, you can view them here

RECONSOLIDATION

Memory reconsolidation is a process in which previously consolidated memories become labile and susceptible to modification upon reactivation. When a traumatic memory is reactivated, it enters a destabilized state, providing a window of opportunity for therapeutic intervention.

  1. Nader, K., Schafe, G. E., & Le Doux, J. E. (2000). Fear memories require protein synthesis in the amygdala for reconsolidation after retrieval. Nature, 406(6797), 722-726. This foundational study demonstrates the necessity of protein synthesis for the reconsolidation of fear memories, highlighting the potential for modifying traumatic memories during reconsolidation.


  2. Agren, T. (2014). Human reconsolidation: A reactivation and update. Brain Research Bulletin, 105, 70-82. This review discusses the process of memory reconsolidation in humans and its implications for therapeutic interventions aimed at altering maladaptive memories.


  3. Schwabe, L., Nader, K., & Pruessner, J. C. (2014). Reconsolidation of human memory: Brain mechanisms and clinical relevance. Biological Psychiatry, 76(4), 274-280. This article explores the neural mechanisms involved in the reconsolidation of human memories and discusses the clinical applications, particularly in treating conditions like PTSD.

REACTIVATION

Reactivation makes the memory susceptible to influence and modification, setting the stage for the introduction of new, corrective experiences or information during the reconsolidation phase. The goal is to destabilize the traumatic memory to allow for its emotional intensity to be addressed and altered.

  1. Das, R. K., Lawn, W., & Kamboj, S. K. (2015). Rewriting the harmful imprints of psychological trauma: A randomised controlled trial of memory reconsolidation interference among London underground accident survivors. Clinical Psychological Science, 3(6), 957-967. This clinical trial assesses the effectiveness of memory reactivation interventions in altering traumatic memories among accident survivors.


  2. Schiller, D., Monfils, M. H., Raio, C. M., Johnson, D. C., Ledoux, J. E., & Phelps, E. A. (2010). Preventing the return of fear in humans using reconsolidation update mechanisms. Nature, 463(7277), 49-53. This study provides evidence for the role of memory reactivation in updating fear memories in humans.


  3. Hupbach, A., Gomez, R., Hardt, O., & Nadel, L. (2007). Reconsolidation of episodic memories: A subtle reminder triggers integration of new information. Learning & Memory, 14(1-2), 47-53. This research explores how subtle reminders can trigger the reconsolidation of episodic memories and the integration of new information.

PROPRANOLOL

Propranolol, a beta-adrenergic blocker, is administered prior to memory reactivation, the intervention reduces the autonomic arousal typically provoked by the memory and blocks the PKA enzyme required for consolidation. This reduces the emotional intensity of the original memory, facilitating its modification.

  1. Kindt, M., Soeter, M., & Vervliet, B. (2009). Beyond extinction: Erasing human fear responses and preventing the return of fear. Nature Neuroscience, 12(3), 256-258. This study explores the use of propranolol to block the reconsolidation of fear memories, offering insights into its potential application in PTSD.

    2. Brunet, A., Orr, S. P., Tremblay, J., Robertson, K., Nader, K., & Pitman, R. K. (2008). Effect of post-retrieval propranolol on psychophysiological responding during subsequent script-driven traumatic imagery in post-traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 42(6), 503-506. This research investigates the effects of propranolol administered after memory retrieval on the physiological responses to subsequent traumatic cues.

    3. Poundja, J., Sanche, S., Tremblay, J., & Brunet, A. (2012). Trauma reactivation under the influence of propranolol: An examination of clinical predictors. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 3(1), 1547. This article examines the factors that predict the efficacy of trauma reactivation under propranolol in reducing PTSD symptoms

ACTIVATION

The activation of synaptic neuropathways during the recall of trauma memories is essential; it renders previously consolidated memories flexible, enabling their structural alteration and significantly reducing the emotional intensity for effective therapeutic modification and healing.

  1. Lane, R. D., Ryan, L., Nadel, L., & Greenberg, L. (2015). Memory reconsolidation, emotional arousal, and the process of change in psychotherapy: New insights from brain science. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 38, e1. This paper elaborates on how emotional arousal is necessary to trigger the reconsolidation process. The authors argue that the reactivation of a memory in the context of high emotional arousal can lead to either the strengthening or weakening of the memory, depending on the nature of the intervention following memory reactivation.


  2. Schiller, D., Monfils, M. H., Raio, C. M., Johnson, D. C., Ledoux, J. E., & Phelps, E. A. (2010). Preventing the return of fear in humans using reconsolidation update mechanisms. Nature, 463(7277), 49-53. This seminal study demonstrates the role of emotional arousal in the reconsolidation of fear memories in humans. The researchers showed that reconsolidation can be disrupted when a retrieved fear memory is followed by a mismatching or non-fearful experience within a specific time window, provided that the memory is emotionally salient.


  3. Dębiec, J., & LeDoux, J. E. (2004). Disruption of reconsolidation but not consolidation of auditory fear conditioning by noradrenergic blockade in the amygdala. Neuroscience, 129(2), 267-272. This research focuses on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the reconsolidation of fear memories, highlighting the role of noradrenaline in the amygdala. It provides evidence that emotional arousal, mediated by noradrenergic signaling, is critical for the reconsolidation of fear memories, suggesting that emotional intensity during memory recall is key to memory malleability.

MISMATCH

Mismatch is crucial for modifying traumatic memories. It introduces conflicting information that undermines the original memory’s foundations, creating cognitive dissonance and thereby enabling the assimilation of new, non-threatening associations during the reconsolidation window.

  1. Sevenster, D., Beckers, T., & Kindt, M. (2014). Prediction error governs pharmacologically induced amnesia for learned fear. Science, 343(6170), 151-155. This article discusses how creating a prediction error—a mismatch between expected and actual outcomes—can facilitate the pharmacological erasure of learned fears.


  2. Fernández, R. S., Bavassi, L., Forcato, C., & Pedreira, M. E. (2016). The dynamic nature of the reconsolidation process and its boundary conditions: Evidence from human declarative memory. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 135, 202-210. This study highlights the importance of mismatches in the reconsolidation process and their role in updating declarative memories in humans


  3. Hutton-Bedbrook, K., & McNally, G. P. (2013). The promises and pitfalls of reconsolidation-disrupting drugs as novel treatments for the prevention and treatment of anxiety disorders. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 37(2), 237-246. This review evaluates how mismatches can be used therapeutically to disrupt reconsolidation of anxiety-related memories, discussing both the potential and limitations of this approach.

CONSOLIDATION

Consolidation is defined as a time-dependent stabilization process that leads eventually to the permanent storage of newly acquired memory. This crucial phase involves the re-storage of the now-modified memory into long-term memory, integrating the new, less distressing elements for lasting relief.

  1. McGaugh, J. L. (2000). Memory—a century of consolidation. Science, 287(5451), 248-251. This classic article provides an overview of the concept of memory consolidation over a century, discussing its implications for long-term memory formation and stability.


  2. Dudai, Y., Karni, A., & Born, J. (2015). The consolidation and transformation of memory. Neuron, 88(1), 20-32. This article reviews the mechanisms of memory consolidation, emphasizing how memories are not only stabilized but also transformed during the consolidation process, which is crucial for therapeutic memory modification.


  3. Lee, J. L. C. (2009). Reconsolidation: Maintaining memory relevance. Trends in Neurosciences, 32(8), 413-420. This review highlights the role of consolidation in memory reconsolidation, discussing how reconsolidated memories need to be re-stabilized through consolidation mechanisms to maintain their relevance and updated content in the neural network.

*Additional articles are mentioned at the bottom of the page.*

The Book Vault

The Neurobiology of Reconsolidation Therapy 

Memory Reconsolidation in Psychotherapy
Unlocking the emotional brain
memory reconsolidation applied
Memory Reconsolidation
Cognitive Neuroscience of Memory Consolidation
Disrubting Consolidation
Role of reconsolidation
The Neuropsychotherapist

The Researcher Vault

top 10 researchers who have made significant contributions to the field of memory reconsolidation

  1. Karim Nader: Dr. Nader is a professor at McGill University and is widely recognized as one of the pioneers in memory reconsolidation research. His groundbreaking study in 2000 demonstrated that reactivated memories become labile and susceptible to modification, a process he termed “reconsolidation.” This discovery has had a profound impact on our understanding of memory dynamics and has opened up new avenues for treating memory-related disorders.


  2. Daniela Schiller: Dr. Schiller is an associate professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Her research focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying emotional memory reconsolidation. She has conducted influential studies showing that fear memories can be modified during reconsolidation, which has implications for the treatment of anxiety disorders and PTSD. Her work has also shed light on the role of the amygdala in memory reconsolidation.


  3. Elizabeth Phelps: Dr. Phelps is a professor at Harvard University and has made significant contributions to the understanding of the neural basis of emotion and memory. Her research has explored the role of the amygdala in fear memory reconsolidation and has demonstrated that reconsolidation can be used to modify emotional memories in humans. Her work has important implications for the development of novel therapies for anxiety and stress-related disorders.


  4. Yadin Dudai: Dr. Dudai is a professor at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. He has been at the forefront of memory reconsolidation research and has made significant contributions to our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this process. His work has shed light on the role of protein synthesis in memory reconsolidation and has identified key molecular targets for therapeutic intervention.


  5. Cristina Alberini: Dr. Alberini is a professor at the Center for Neural Science at New York University. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of memory formation and reconsolidation. She has made important discoveries regarding the role of transcription factors and epigenetic modifications in memory reconsolidation. Her work has also explored the potential for targeting reconsolidation processes in the treatment of memory-related disorders, such as PTSD and addiction.


  6. Joseph LeDoux: Dr. LeDoux is a professor at New York University and a leading expert in the field of emotional memory. His research has explored the neural circuits underlying fear memory formation and reconsolidation. He has made significant contributions to our understanding of the role of the amygdala in emotional memory processing and has developed influential theories on the neural basis of anxiety disorders.


  7. Lynn Nadel: Dr. Nadel is a professor at the University of Arizona and has made important contributions to the field of spatial memory and memory reconsolidation. His research has explored the role of the hippocampus in memory reconsolidation and has shed light on the neural mechanisms underlying the updating of spatial memories. His work has important implications for understanding the dynamic nature of memory.


  8. Almut Hupbach: Dr. Hupbach is a professor at Lehigh University and has conducted influential research on the reconsolidation of episodic memories. Her work has demonstrated that reactivated memories can be modified by incorporating new information, a process she termed “memory updating.” Her research has important implications for understanding the malleability of memory and the potential for therapeutic intervention.


  9. Valerie Doyère: Dr. Doyère is a research director at the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in France. Her research focuses on the behavioral and neural mechanisms of memory reconsolidation, particularly in the context of fear memories. She has made important contributions to our understanding of the role of the amygdala and prefrontal cortex in memory reconsolidation and has explored the potential for pharmacological interventions to modify reconsolidation processes.


  10. Alain Brunet: Dr. Brunet is a professor of psychiatry at McGill University and a leading expert in the field of memory reconsolidation and its applications to the treatment of psychological disorders, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His groundbreaking research has focused on the development of reconsolidation-based therapies for PTSD, which aim to modify traumatic memories during the reconsolidation window. Dr. Brunet’s seminal work has demonstrated that the administration of the beta-blocker propranolol during memory reactivation can reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic memories in PTSD patients. This finding has opened up new avenues for the treatment of PTSD and has inspired numerous studies exploring the potential of reconsolidation-based therapies. In addition to his work on PTSD, Dr. Brunet has also investigated the role of memory reconsolidation in the context of addiction, showing that reconsolidation-based interventions can be used to modify drug-related memories and reduce the risk of relapse in substance use disorders. His innovative research has earned him international recognition and has had a significant impact on the field of memory reconsolidation and its clinical applications.

The Video Vault

* For educational purposes only

THE SCIENCE

Discussing the science behind this PTSD treatment protocol. Propranolol has been used to treat PTSD with the vast majority of clients having successfully healed their PTSD.

THE PROCESS

The process & use of Propranolol is described. Please review the process to understand how simple and effective this protocol is. The process consists of 6 therapy sessions.

THE RESULTS

A few clients report what they have experienced and how they felt after they went through the process and the results from the treatment. The effectiveness of the therapy is 86%.

Additional Articles

If you still need more evidence

  1. Nader, K., Schafe, G. E., & Le Doux, J. E. (2000). Fear memories require protein synthesis in the amygdala for reconsolidation after retrieval. Nature, 406(6797), 722-726.
  2. Debiec, J., & LeDoux, J. E. (2006). Noradrenergic signaling in the amygdala contributes to the reconsolidation of fear memory: treatment implications for PTSD. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1071(1), 521-524.
  3. Brunet, A., Orr, S. P., Tremblay, J., Robertson, K., Nader, K., & Pitman, R. K. (2008). Effect of post-retrieval propranolol on psychophysiologic responding during subsequent script-driven traumatic imagery in post-traumatic stress disorder. Journal of psychiatric research, 42(6), 503-506.
  4. Schiller, D., Monfils, M. H., Raio, C. M., Johnson, D. C., LeDoux, J. E., & Phelps, E. A. (2010). Preventing the return of fear in humans using reconsolidation update mechanisms. Nature, 463(7277), 49-53.
  5. Kindt, M., Soeter, M., & Vervliet, B. (2009). Beyond extinction: erasing human fear responses and preventing the return of fear. Nature neuroscience, 12(3), 256-258.
  6. Soeter, M., & Kindt, M. (2015). An abrupt transformation of phobic behavior after a post-retrieval amnesic agent. Biological psychiatry, 78(12), 880-886.
  7. Wood, N. E., Rosasco, M. L., Suris, A. M., Spring, J. D., Marin, M. F., Lasko, N. B., … & Pitman, R. K. (2015). Pharmacological blockade of memory reconsolidation in posttraumatic stress disorder: three negative psychophysiological studies. Psychiatry research, 225(1-2), 31-39.
  8. Kida, S. (2019). Reconsolidation/destabilization, extinction and forgetting of fear memory as therapeutic targets for PTSD. Psychopharmacology, 236(1), 49-57.
  9. Haubrich, J., & Nader, K. (2016). Memory reconsolidation. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, 28, 151-176.
  10. Kroes, M. C., Schiller, D., LeDoux, J. E., & Phelps, E. A. (2016). Translational approaches targeting reconsolidation. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, 28, 197-230.
  1. Dunbar, A. B., & Taylor, J. R. (2017). Reconsolidation and psychopathology: Moving towards reconsolidation-based treatments. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 142, 162-171.
  2. Elsey, J. W., & Kindt, M. (2017). Breaking boundaries: optimizing reconsolidation-based interventions for strong and old memories. Learning & Memory, 24(9), 472-479.
  3. Beckers, T., & Kindt, M. (2017). Memory reconsolidation interference as an emerging treatment for emotional disorders: strengths, limitations, challenges, and opportunities. Annual review of clinical psychology, 13, 99-121.
  4. Monfils, M. H., & Holmes, E. A. (2018). Memory boundaries: opening a window inspired by reconsolidation to treat anxiety, trauma-related, and addiction disorders. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(12), 1032-1042.
  5. Walsh, K. H., Das, R. K., Saladin, M. E., & Kamboj, S. K. (2018). Modulation of naturalistic maladaptive memories using behavioural and pharmacological reconsolidation-interfering strategies: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical and ‘sub-clinical’ studies. Psychopharmacology, 235(9), 2507-2527.
  6. Manfield, P., Lovett, J., Engel, L., & Manfield, D. (2017). Use of the flash technique in EMDR therapy: Four case examples. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 11(4), 195-205.
  7. Kredlow, M. A., & Otto, M. W. (2015). Interference with the reconsolidation of trauma-related memories in adults. Depression and anxiety, 32(1), 32-37.
  8. Sevenster, D., Beckers, T., & Kindt, M. (2014). Prediction error demarcates the transition from retrieval, to reconsolidation, to new learning. Learning & Memory, 21(11), 580-584.
  9. Agren, T. (2014). Human reconsolidation: a reactivation and update. Brain research bulletin, 105, 70-82.
  10. Lee, J. L., Nader, K., & Schiller, D. (2017). An update on memory reconsolidation updating. Trends in cognitive sciences, 21(7), 531-545.