Researchers develop new drug to prevent PTSD

By Staff Writer

A team of researchers from Northwestern University believes they have found two new drugs that, when administered immediately following a traumatic event, may be able to prevent the development of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and reduce the need for treatment from rehab facilities.

The investigators found that two proteins interact in the brain following a traumatic experience. These proteins result in frenzied and over-stimulated thoughts long after the event has passed. This is the main cause of PTSD.

However, by injecting a combination of two drugs, known as MPEP and MTEP, into the brain within five hours of the traumatic experience, researchers found that participants did not go on to develop the disorder.

The drugs work by dissipating the proteins that excite the brain and instill a calming feeling across the brain's neurons.

Researchers said that most previous studies into PTSD have focused on treating the condition's symptoms, such as exaggerated fear response. These have largely failed to show meaningful results. However, by preventing the condition from taking hold in the first place, doctors may be able to reduce the severity of fear responses.