Scientists have found a medicine that erases bad memories
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Specialists from the University of Montreal found that the drug metiarapon affects the ability of the brain to change the stored memories.
"Metarapon is a drug that significantly reduces the level of the stress hormone cortisol involved in the recall process.We have found that changing the level of cortisol during the formation of new memories can reduce the associated negative emotions," co-author Mari-France Marin said.
"The results show that when we lower the level of the stress hormone at a time when negative events occur, we can partially prevent the brain from remembering it," said the study's head, Dr. Sonia Lupien.
The experiment was attended by a group of several dozen volunteers who had to read and remember a fictional story. A few days later the subjects were divided into three groups: one gave a normal dose of metiapone, the second - doubled, and the third received a placebo. After that, the study participants were asked to retell the story. Repeated experience was conducted after 4 days, when the drug was completely eliminated from the body.
"We found that the representatives of the group who received the double dose of metiapone hardly remembered the negative events from the story, mainly referring to neutral moments.We were surprised that memory impairment was observed even after the level of cortisol returned to normal ", - said Dr. Marin.
According to experts, the studies can be useful for the therapy of post-traumatic stress syndrome. The only obstacle at the moment is that metirapone is currently withdrawn from mass production. However, specialists plan to continue working, using other drugs that lower the level of cortisol.
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