Journal of Clinical Toxicology
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0495
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0495
+44 1478 350008
Michael Segal
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Clinic Toxicol
P ost-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a relatively common anxiety disorder, induced by emotionally traumatic events. It includes intrusive recollections of the traumatic experience (as in dreams and flashbacks), with avoidance and increased arousal symptoms. During the last years, laboratory animal studies found the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in traumatic memory processing, especially in the extinction of negative recollections. The treatment of posttraumatic symptoms is generally a frustrating and disappointing challenge. Therefore, frequently patients try to cope with the disturbing symptoms by self-medication. Marijuana was reported by combat-PTSD patients as a potent self-treatment, alleviating PTSD-related intrusive and hyperarousal symptoms and enabling sleep. Twenty five male IDF veterans suffering from chronic combat-PTSD were included in the present study. Diagnosis was by DSM-IV criteria, and the severity of symptoms was evaluated by the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). All patients received the Ministry of Health License to smoke 100gm (THC-16%) of MGC per month, added on their regular treatment. Exclusion criteria were: substance abuse history, and psychotic, endocrine or neurological pathology. The patients described significant and stable improvement in all the categories of PTSD symptoms, with a concurrent restitution of social and occupational functioning during 2-4 years of continuous follow-up. No psychosis, dependence or withdrawal phenomena were found during the MGC treatment. Typical cases will be presented. Even though this is a preliminary open study, its' results are promising. Further aspects of the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in PTSD pathology and treatment will be discussed
Michael Segal, born in Romania (1957) has accomplished MD studies at Carol Davilla Faculty of Medicine of Bucharest. In Israel (since 1986) he completed the psychiatric residence in Rambam Hospital in Haifa and Flugelman's Mental Health Medical Center in Acre. Senior psychiatrist since 1995 actually occupies clinical positions in psychiatric ward and polyclinics of psychiatric hospital of Sha'ar Menache. He is a Lecturer of Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine affiliated to Technion Institute of Technology in Haifa. He published a number of research studies in valuated psychiatric journals. His main fields of interest are in biological markers of mental disturbances (schizophrenia, affective disorders, and addictions) and in the study of PTSD.