Have you shared this with GiveWell or Open Phil team?
Especially considering that depression has such a negative impact on DALYs or QALYs (whichever you prefer), I think much of this research could be done outside of sub-Saharan Africa.
Also, where did you find the information regarding propranolol for PTSD? I remember reading about a couple studies done in Canada a couple years back that seemed promising, but concluded there was a lot more testing to be done.
Re: Propranolol, I spoke with Dr. Alain Brunet at McGill University, who conducted some of the studies you’re referring to and was very helpful in explaining the science behind it and the potential.
If I remember correctly, participants were read stories and then asked to recall sad details. Not trying to be a downer, but the study’s design is poorly related to PTSD.
“Brunet wondered if the drug could be used to reduce the emotional intensity of a given memory. He began administering propranolol to patients suffering from PTSD, then asking them to write down recollections of the traumatic event. When this process was repeated over the course of six sessions, as many as two-thirds of his patients were able to recall the event without displaying symptoms of traumatic stress.” (http://publications.mcgill.ca/mcgillnews/2016/05/16/treating-trauma-on-a-city-wide-scale/)
Seems like the choice of participants and the method was ok, but the main downside is the lack of a control. You would expect a lot of improvement in PTSD symptoms over six sessions anyway.
Have you shared this with GiveWell or Open Phil team? Especially considering that depression has such a negative impact on DALYs or QALYs (whichever you prefer), I think much of this research could be done outside of sub-Saharan Africa.
Also, where did you find the information regarding propranolol for PTSD? I remember reading about a couple studies done in Canada a couple years back that seemed promising, but concluded there was a lot more testing to be done.
Re: Propranolol, I spoke with Dr. Alain Brunet at McGill University, who conducted some of the studies you’re referring to and was very helpful in explaining the science behind it and the potential.
If I remember correctly, participants were read stories and then asked to recall sad details. Not trying to be a downer, but the study’s design is poorly related to PTSD.
“Brunet wondered if the drug could be used to reduce the emotional intensity of a given memory. He began administering propranolol to patients suffering from PTSD, then asking them to write down recollections of the traumatic event. When this process was repeated over the course of six sessions, as many as two-thirds of his patients were able to recall the event without displaying symptoms of traumatic stress.” (http://publications.mcgill.ca/mcgillnews/2016/05/16/treating-trauma-on-a-city-wide-scale/)
Seems like the choice of participants and the method was ok, but the main downside is the lack of a control. You would expect a lot of improvement in PTSD symptoms over six sessions anyway.