Between an ugly truth and a perfect lie: Wiping off fearful memories using beta-adrenergic receptors antagonists |
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| Authors: | Abdelrahman M AlOkda Mostafa M Nasr Shaimaa N Amin |
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| Institution: | 1. Biomedical Sciences Program, Zewail City of Science and Technology, Egypt
These authors contributed equally to this study.;2. Department of Medical Physiology, Kasr Al Ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt |
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| Abstract: | Psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder are considered of high global prevalence. Currently, a therapeutic approach to treat these disorders using beta-blockers, which antagonize the beta-adrenergic receptors (B1, B2, and B3) is being studied. This approach claims that beta-blockers, such as propranolol, inhibit fear memory reconsolidation. However, there are several studies refuting such claims by discrediting their experimental design and pointing out both the drugs pharmacokinetic properties and confounding factors. In this review, we explore the different effects of central beta-adrenergic agonists and antagonists on the fear memory consolidation providing mixed-evidence, limitations, and future directions. |
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| Keywords: | beta blockers fear memories reconsolidation |
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