Memory erasing drugs now in earliest stages

TG Daily
David Gomez
Tue 23rd Nov 2010, 07:27 pm

People who are haunted by visions of war and scenes of violence sometimes wish they could remove the bad memories from their minds. Medical researchers at Johns Hopkins University think that it may be possible someday.

A memory erasing drug is still a long way away. Its use would surely create many ethical problems. But according to a story in The Baltimore Sun, scientists feel they have a basis for it because of their discovery that proteins can be removed from the brain’s fear center to eliminate bad memories forever.

"When a traumatic event occurs, it creates a fearful memory that can last a lifetime and have a debilitating effect on a person's life," said Richard L. Huganir, professor and chair of neuroscience in the Hopkins School of Medicine to The Baltimore Sun. He thinks that his finding on the molecular process "raises the possibility of manipulating those mechanisms with drugs to enhance behavioral therapy for such conditions as post-traumatic stress disorder."

His research has gained interest from people involved in the mental health care industry. It also concerns some people.
(click below for complete article)
http://www.tgdaily.com/general-science-brief/52681-memory-erasing-drugs-now-in-earliest-stages

New Mexico Offers Help To Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

SO why is it that Nye County Nevada and the Nye County District Attorney's Office as well as the State of Nevada cannot do more to help in this horrible tragic nightmare that has been allowed to carry on for over two years?  Seems there are better answers around the country with treatments and interventions that do not involve jail or prison.  Nevada is out of touch.....

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has announced the award of a contract to conduct innovative retreats for treating veterans diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Source: Governor of New Mexico
Posted on: 15th November 2010

“Our veterans deserve our full support for serving and protecting our country,” Governor Richardson said. “This innovative program will offer a new approach for treating veterans who are battling post-combat issues as they try to transition to civilian life after their military service.”


The treatment program will use an integrative approach, combining existing clinical treatments with non-clinical alternative methods.


The program is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Governor Richardson announced a $350,000 allocation from discretionary funds to the Department of Veterans Services earlier this year.


The department has contracted with the National Veterans’ Wellness & Healing Center in Angel Fire through a competitive process.


The retreats will concentrate on combining existing cognitive processing and prolonged exposure therapies with non-traditional treatments such as yoga, acupuncture, and nature-based therapies.


Veterans who are diagnosed with PTSD by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs would be eligible to participate.


“There is a tremendous amount of interest nationwide in using an integrative approach for treating PTSD,” said New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services Cabinet Secretary John M. Garcia. “I applaud the Governor for taking this step and opening the door for the state to become recognized as the leader in offering the latest available treatment for affected veterans and their families.”


The Department of Veterans’ Services will oversee the integrative Wellness Treatment program.
http://www.thegovmonitor.com/world_news/united_states/new-mexico-offers-help-to-veterans-with-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-42663.html