Blood pressure drug holds promise for treating PTSD (Clonidine)

Medical Xpress / Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University / Molecular Psychiatry ^ | Jan. 5, 2022 | Shalini Saggu et al

[ConservativeMind]

There is new evidence that a 50-year-old blood pressure drug could find new purpose as a treatment to mitigate PTSD, scientists say.

Clonidine is commonly used as a high blood pressure medication and for ADHD. It's also already been studied in PTSD because clonidine works on adrenergic receptors in the brain, likely best known for their role in "fight or flight," a heightened state of response that helps keep us safe. These receptors are thought to be activated in PTSD and to have a role in consolidating a traumatic memory. Clonidine's sister drug guanfacine, which also activates these receptors, also has been studied in PTSD. Conflicting results from the clinical trials have clonidine, which has shown promise in PTSD, put aside along with guanfacine, which has not.

Scientists have laboratory evidence that while the two drugs bind to the same receptors, they do different things there, says Qin Wang, MD, Ph.D.,

They found the protein spinophilin interacts with cofilin, which is known to control protrusions on the synapses of neurons called dendritic spines, where memories are consolidated and stored.

The scientists found clonidine interferes with cofilin's exit by encouraging it to interact with the receptor which consequently interferes with the dendritic spine's ability to resume a mushroom shape and retain the memory. Guanfacine had no effect on this key player cofilin.

In their studies that mimicked how PTSD happens, mice were given a mild shock then treated with clonidine right after they were returned to the place where they received the shock and should be recalling what happened earlier. Clonidine-treated mice had a significantly reduced response, like freezing in their tracks, compared to untreated mice when brought back to the scene. In fact, their response was more like mice who were never shocked. Guanfacine had no effect on freezing behavior.

[mosaicwolf]

I took it for elevated BP at the VA facility and all I wanted to do was sleep all day.

[Bobibutu]

You are a Vet. Check these out if you didn’t see the links posted earlier/later:

https://meditationforwarriorwellness.org

https://tmforveterans.org/pdf/ptsd/TM-and-PTSD-White-Paper.pdf

[LadyDoc]

we use clonidine to block the jitteryness of narcotic withdrawal and other psychiatric problems with similar jittery side effects.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27161101/

states:it has long been used successfully for opiate detoxification, post-traumatic stress disorder and de la Tourette syndrome. Moreover, clonidine helps in the treatment of neuroleptic-induced akathisia, stimulant-induced insomnia and clozapine-induced sialorrhea. It has been tried in treating menopausal syndrome and psychogenic polydipsia.

Much of this is “off label” use, meaning not on the FDA approved uses of the medicine.

we don't use it too much for high blood pressure because it can make the elderly very sleepy.

[Delta 21]

Clonodine helps alcoholics from going into seizures when they detox. It’s helped me thru a very rough patch and Doc just recommend a smaller dose to help me again. Very versatile and effective drug in the right hands.

[Delta 21]

I know that parched sensation well!

Nothing helps short of an ice cold beer as soon as you wake up but everyone frowns on that.

[Delta 21]

Like that dirt that gets so dry that you can’t even get it wet with the hose, the water just beads up and disappears.

[ViLaLuz]

Clonidine can’t be taken with anti-depressants? Budding sociopath teen I know is prescribed clonidine with Celexa. It doesn’t help, the kid is off his rocker and dangerous. He previously was prescribed Concerta to the mix, in such a high dose he was hallucinating. But because he’s 16 he can demand all these prescriptions and the psychiatrist gives them.