FENS 2020: can exciting the amygdala diminish traumatic memories?

Post-traumatic stress disorder is characterized by powerfully embedded and highly distressing memories that can be triggered, resulting in a person re-experiencing the events of the memory, often referred to as ‘flashbacks.’ Contrary to typical memories, these memories do not diminish with time or become less powerful, making it very difficult for people to overcome the disorder. A recent study, led by Jonathan Ploski at The University of Texas at Dallas (TX, USA), has examined how these memories could be weakened to relieve the traumatic effect of these memories. Presented at the FENS Virtual Forum of Neuroscience (11–15 July), Ploski revealed...