Cortisol administration after extinction in a fear-conditioning paradigm with traumatic film clips prevents return of fear.

ABSTRACT: Cortisol is a stress hormone and potent modulator of learning and memory processes. If administered after learning, cortisol can enhance memory consolidation. Yet it is unknown whether cortisol administration after fear extinction learning strengthens extinction memory. Extinction is a crucial mechanism underlying psychotherapy of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study examined whether extinction can be enhanced by administering cortisol after extinction training. In a registered, randomized, double-blind and placebo controlled trial, 50 healthy participants were exposed to a differential fear-conditioning paradigm with neutral faces as conditioned stimuli (CS) and traumatic film clips as unconditioned stimuli (US). They received either cortisol (n = 25) or placebo (n = 25

SUBMITTER: Brueckner AH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6453889 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature