I reported the other day that by sheer happenstance, we have found that taking blood pressure medicine helps alleviate PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) episodes. The medicine suppresses norepinephrine secretion, which then affords the brain the capability to process the negative experiences. It turns out that effecting a stellate ganglion block (SGB) may have merit as a treatment.
The primary proponent of this technique is Eugene Lipov, an anaesthesiologist in Hoffman Estates (Chicago, IL). He has been working on this concept since 2007, which seems to provide some relief (often within 5 minutes of the procedure). The problem is we don’t know why it works. (But, we do have hypotheses!)
SGB has been used to treat hot flashes and chronic regional pain syndrome for some time. In those instances it modulates the portions of the CNS (Central Nervous System) responsible for body temperature and neuropathic pain, which are also manifestedinn PTSD. The big drawback to using SGB in any situation is that the injection can cause seizures- or a misplaced injection can hit an artery or puncture the lung.
The hypothesis (as developed by Drs. Lipov, Joshi, Sanders, and Slavin) is that nerve growth factor (NGF) is increased in these medical conditions, which means norepinephrine levels are elevated. SGB decreases NGF releases and those lower levels of NGF lead to a decrease in norepinephrine. As a byproduct of this research, it was found that fMRI can discriminate some of the changes in PTSD.
Dr. Lipov has been trying to get this tested by the Pentagon and the Veteran’s Administration, with little results. However, the Navy has done some testing of Lipov’s SGB concept. Dr. Anita Hickey (Captain, USN, San Diego) has been testing alternative medicine and its effect on PTSD. With a $100K grant in tow, the SGB procedure is undergoing evaluation with 42 naval personnel. (No results are available at the present time.) MRI examinations are part of the study.
It also turns out that Dr. Sean Mulvaney has been leading a team at Bethesda (Uniformed Service University) that has provided SGB therapy to two PTSD patients. Before they received treatment, they scored 76 and 54 (PTSD checklist [PCL] score, maximum of 85). After 1 treatment, the PCL scores dropped significantly, but the first patient required a second injection of ropivacaine after 90 days, and has remained below threshold PCL levels for some 9 months.
One can only hope that SGB, blood pressure medication, and/or sleep modification will help our hurt returning troops have a more successful reentry into society.
Wouldn’t that be a wonderful discovery? Let’s hope they find a solution. Interesting-thanks, Roy.
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As they say- from your mouth to G-d’s ears!
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Roy
Nice that there may be a treatment but maybe we need to prevent the reason for needing to treat PTSD especially from wars
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Absolutely, Roberta. Prevention is ALWAYS best!
Roy
Thanks for this information and publishing this kind of post. Actually, I am not familiar with this kind of disease but your blog helps me to get know about these kind of disease. I learned new thing here through your great post.
I am honored that you found it valuable. that is exactly why i post!
Thanks- and a pleasure to meet you!
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop with a traumatic event that threatens your safety or makes you feel helpless.The traumatic events that lead to post-traumatic stress disorder are usually so overwhelming and frightening that they would upset anyone. Any person can suffer from this disease if some stressful event happened to him. Thanks for sharing.
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Great, succinct explanation. Thanks for the addition.
The PTSD(post traumatic stress disorder) is a dangerous disease. I saw some people suffering from this disease. They got treated but we have to prevent the reasons for the PTSD. We should also aware people about this disease and harmful factors caused by this.
You are absolutely correct. However, I am not sure we can make each of our lives so stress-free that we may never succumb to PTSD.
For example, we can reduce the number of airplane wrecks- but we can’t stop 100% of them from happening.
Thanks for the visit and the comment.