Using Reconsolidation Blockade to Treat Trauma Related Disorders After Paris Attacks: an Effectiveness Study

The November 13th Paris attacks were the most violent and devastating events to occur in France since World War II. A large number of persons are likely to develop PTSD or trauma-related disorders, especially victims directly involved, their families, as well as the the first responders. In this context, there is an urgent need to enhance treatment resources. Psychotherapy is known to be effective but it is costly, and require qualified professionals. Pharmacotherapy (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor,SSRIs) is also considered effective. However, side effects often lead patients to abandon their treatment. An alternative evidence-based intervention is the use of the β-adrenergic blocker propranolol used to interfere with the reconsolidation of a recalled traumatic memory, so as to reduce its strength over time. This clinical trial will evaluate the effectiveness and cost-utility of reconsolidation blockade compared to treatment as usual. The study involves four assessments: pre- and post-treatment and 13 weeks and 1 year follow up. The outcome measures include: PTSD symptoms, socioeconomic variables, quality of life and social functioning measures. The investigators hypothesize that all patients will improve. However, patients receiving reconsolidation blockade will recover faster than treatment as usual. Finally, investigators hypothesize that reconsolidation blockade will be well accepted both by the professionals and the patients.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 16 years or older
• Suffer from PTSD, adjustment disorders or other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder
• PTSD Checklist - Specific (PCL-S) > 44
• Clinical Global Impression (CGI) > 3
• Informed Consent Form signed
• Fluency in French

Exclusion criteria

Reconsolidation blockade group:

• Resting systolic blood pressure < 100 mm Hg
• Resting heart rate < 55 beats per minute
• EKG significantly abnormal
• Medical contraindication to use propranolol
• Current use of medication that involve potentially dangerous interactions with propranolol
• Previous adverse reaction to a β-adrenergic blocker
• Current use of a β-adrenergic blocker
• Patients taking psychotropic drugs which may interact with propranolol will be examined on a case-by-case basis

Both groups:

• Subject under legal protection
• Bipolar or psychotic disorder
• Head trauma for less than one year or with clinical symptoms and neurological sequelae
• Proven severe suicide risk (Mini-S and clinical assessment)
• Opioid addiction or current alcohol dependence
• Patients using SSRI for less than 2 months
• Absence of affiliation to National french social security system
• Pregnant or breastfeeding woman or without effective contraception