Behavioral and neuroendocrine responses to sodium lactate infusion in subjects with posttraumatic stress disorder.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Case-control physiological challenge study with small non-randomized cohorts
PubMed 9016280 · doi:10.1176/ajp.154.2.266
What was done
Behavioral, cardiovascular, catecholamine, and cortisol responses to an infusion of 0.5 M sodium lactate were compared across three groups: seven subjects with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) without panic disorder, seven subjects with panic disorder only, and seven healthy control subjects.
What was found
Six of seven PTSD subjects (6/7) experienced flashbacks or other intrusive PTSD symptoms accompanied by substantial anxiety during lactate infusion, compared to zero of seven panic disorder subjects (0/7) and zero of seven healthy subjects (0/7). Cortisol levels were reported as low in the PTSD subjects. Specific quantitative values for cardiovascular measures, catecholamines, and cortisol were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This study demonstrates that sodium lactate infusion can trigger intrusive trauma symptoms and flashbacks in individuals with PTSD even in the absence of comorbid panic disorder.
Limits
The sample size is very small (n=21 total, 7 per group). The abstract omits exact numerical measurements and statistical comparisons for cardiovascular, catecholamine, and hormonal responses.
Cited by
- supports Injecting people with lactate can trigger panic attacks, and in individuals with PTSD, lactate injection can reawaken traumatic memories.