Emotional Memory, the Menstrual Cycle, and Trauma-Related Symptoms in Women
Women with probable PTSD (or similar) are invited to take part in research exploring how the menstrual cycle may influence emotional memory and trauma-related symptoms.
Women in Australia are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at nearly twice the rate of men. While differences in trauma exposure contribute to this discrepancy, they don’t fully explain it.
Emerging evidence suggests that fluctuations in ovarian hormones across the menstrual cycle may play a role in emotional learning and memory processes related to PTSD symptoms. Despite this, the menstrual cycle is rarely considered in PTSD research.
To help address this gap, researchers at the Thompson Institute’s National PTSD Research Centre are conducting a study to explore whether menstrual cycle phase at the time of a single, brief memory reconsolidation session influences self-reported PTSD symptoms.
The single session involves recalling an emotional, traumatic memory in a structured and supportive setting 75 minutes after ingesting oral propranolol ‘off-label’, a beta-blocker that has been shown to impair/weaken the reconsolidation of emotional memory (also known as reconsolidation therapy)
What the study involves
Eligible participants will be asked to:
- Undergo eligibility screening (e.g. medical/psychological condition enquiries).
- Attend the Thompson Institute in Birtinya for:
- One baseline assessment (approximately 4 hours)
- One session of a memory-based intervention (approximately 30 minutes) following on-site ingestion of oral propranolol. A saliva sample and blood test will also be conducted.
- Complete brief online questionnaires one week and one month after.
Who can take part
We invite participation from biological females with probable PTSD (or similar) who:
- Are aged 18–40 years old
- Have natural menstrual cycles (no hormone contraceptive e.g. mirena)
- Are english-speaking
Questions?
To find out more, contact Dr Ciara Treacy
Email: TI_clinicalresearch@usc.edu.au
Tel: +61 7 5456 3877