University of California, Irvine and University of Muenster researchers have identified the brain mechanism that turns off traumatic feelings associated with bad memories: a protein called neuropeptide S (NPS).

NPS reduces traumatic responses to bad memories by stimulating neurons in the basolateral amygdala (brain region associated with anxiety and memory formation).

They found that blocking NPS receptors in the amygdala of mice caused traumatic responses to bad memories to persist longer. When the mice were treated with compounds that activated the NPS receptors, traumatic responses vanished sooner.

The findings may help in treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder or other panic disorders.