Prevention post-traumatic stress disorder through prompt treatment?

Amsterdam UMC, Radboudumc, VieCuri, Diakonessenhuis, Utrecht University and MIND, with support from the Brain Foundation, are going to investigate whether the drug hydrocortisone can help prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study will take place in people who come to the emergency room. It will look not only at PTSD, but also at other mental symptoms that can arise after a shocking event.

Almost everyone experiences a traumatic, shocking event in their lives, such as an accident, a violent event, or the sudden or unexpected loss of a loved one. Some people keep thinking about such a traumatic event or try to forget about it. This takes a lot of energy. Sometimes it is not possible to cope well with such a trauma. Then mental symptoms can develop, such as PTSD, anxiety, depression or addiction. With PTSD, you relive the event over and over again, often having nightmares and avoiding places or people who remind you of the event.

Treating quickly with hydrocortisone

Doctors and psychologists can treat PTSD, although not everyone responds well to existing treatments. Getting help quickly after a trauma seems to increase the likelihood that PTSD and other mental health symptoms will develop. The stress hormone cortisol is known to help store memories of trauma in a healthier way. Our bodies make cortisol when we have mental or physical stress. Doctors can give cortisol in the form of hydrocortisone. This drug has long been used safely in medicine and in low doses has few side effects.

Emergency Department

This study, led by Christiaan Vinkers Professor of Stress and Resilience at the Amsterdam UMC, will examine whether hydrocortisone helps prevent PTSD and other mental symptoms after experiencing trauma. From the Radboudumc, Erno Hermans, professor of Cognitive Affective Neuroscience, is involved in the study that will run in the Emergency Department (ED).

Fewer complaints?

In the study, participants are divided into two groups. For four days, one group receives a pill containing hydrocortisone and the other group receives a fake pill (placebo). The study then examines whether the group with hydrocortisone develops fewer symptoms. Years of basic research on cortisol and the brain is now being translated into this large research practice, with the goal of helping patients faster and better after trauma.

More info: Click here (in Dutch)

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