Functional Brain Imaging in PTSD
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)TraumaPatients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have abnormalities in the function of the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex (particularly anterior cingulate), in addition to abnormalities of hippocampal volume. In this pilot study we propose to use the combined positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance (PET/MR) scanner and F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG, an analog of glucose, the most commonly used PET ligand) to examine brain function and directly correlate the data with the intrinsic functional connectivity of brain circuits that are responsible for social, emotional and cognitive processing in both individuals with PTSD and group-matched trauma controls (TC) and healthy controls (HC). Once the machine is validated, we will then use a more specific biomarker to better understand the neurochemical factors that contribute to individual differences in PTSD. Thus, the data obtained from this pilot study will guide our future molecular imaging studies. The link between general brain function, specific molecular target and the intrinsic functional connectivity of brain circuits that are responsible for social, emotional and cognitive processing in PTSD, TC and HC will be explored.
Identification of Markers of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Relapse
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Relapse of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains challenging. In addition, factors predicting PTSD relapse are still unknown. The aim of this study is to examine whether clinical and neuropsychological changes (e.g., attentional bias toward aversive cues) that characterized PTSD can be observed in people with past PTSD (children and their families) and whether these persistent changes are predictive of PTSD relapse.
PTSD Among Victims of Sexual Abuse and Changes in Structural and Functional Brain Connectivity
PostTraumatic Stress DisorderThe goal of this study is to identify the early modifications in fronto-temporal connectivity in female victims who developed PTSD, compared to female victims who did not develop the disorder, and to healthy control females. The investigators will compare between all these groups, structural and functional differences using different techniques (MRI, fMRI, DTI and ASL), and paradigms (cognitive tasks or at rest).
The Immune System and Psychiatric Disorders
Stress DisordersTraumatic5 moreThe study is based on a hypothesis that there is interaction between the activity in the immune system and in the mind. To study this, the investigators register different measures for activity in the immune system on patients unselectedly admitted to an acute psychiatric ward. The psychiatric statuses and diagnoses of these patients are carefully defined as well.
Compare the Medical Conditions of Gulf War Veterans to Non-Deployed Veterans
Chronic Fatigue SyndromeFibromyalgia3 morePrimary Hypothesis: Gulf War veterans will have an equal prevalence or mean level of the following medical and psychological conditions frequently reported in the literature compared to a control group of nondeployed veterans: (1) chronic fatigue syndrome, (2) fibromyalgia, (3) post-traumatic stress disorder, (4) neurologic abnormalities, including peripheral neuropathy and cognitive dysfunction, and (5) general health status.
Improving Mental Health Following Early PREgnancy Loss Using a Brief Cognitive Task
Post-traumatic Stress DisorderMiscarriage4 moreThis is a randomised controlled trial designed to investigate the impact of a brief-cognitive task based intervention on intrusive memories, mental health symptoms and daily functioning, in women following an early pregnancy loss.
Psychological Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Student Nurses
NurseStudent2 moreThe World Health Organization (WHO) declared in early 2020 the emergence of a new highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus responsible for a global public health emergency. In France, the first cases of contamination have been reported since the end of January 2020, and the first death in mid-February 2020. Then, data published by Public Healh France reported an increasing and rapidly exponential number of contaminations. First cases have been identified on a cluster mode, then rapidly spreading in some French departments and regions, indicating rapid kinetics of virus spread. Given the magnitude of the situation both French territory and neighboring European territories (mainly Italy), the government mobilized the entire health system to critically manage this epidemic. This exceptional and unprecedented pandemic deeply impacted the health structures, disrupting healthcare organizations. All caregivers, including all student nurses, actively participated in the mobilization and strengthening of care teams. The health crisis exposed the population of caregivers to potentially traumatic events which can have major repercussions on their health state. The description and identification of the risk factors of the occurrence of post traumatic stress disorders in student nurses during the health crisis would allow to provide avenues for improving training devices and to facilitate health workers access to specific psychological care particularly dedicated to the student nurses population needs.
Empathy in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Comparaison to a Control Population
Mental DisorderPost-traumatic Stress Disorder1 moreIt has been shown in the literature that the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder influence the quality of life of patients, in particular through the cognitive alterations they can cause. Social cognition is also itself impacted. It refers to the perception, interpretation and processing of information relating to the social environment and relationships. It is affected by the symptomatology of PTSD both in terms of the response to emotional stimuli, the perception of self and others, and the quality of intimate relationships. These elements lead to reflection on the origin of these alterations, in particular the impact of PTSD on the patient's empathy capacity, defined as the recognition and understanding of the feelings and emotions of another individual. This parameter is also little studied in the literature, only a study dating from 2010 finds a correlation between PTSD and empathy. It is in this context that the realization of a new study studying the capacity for empathy of patients with PTSD in comparison with a control group with a larger and more representative population was envisaged. The primary outcome of this study is to analyze the post-traumatic stress disorder's repercussions on empathy by passing the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) on patients in comparison with a control group. The first hypothesis is a lower total score but a higher personal distress sub-score in the PTSD population. The secondary outcomes are to describe the cofactors that can influence empathy in association or not with post-traumatic stress disorder: sociodemographic data (age, sex, education level…), traumatic event type determined through the "Inventory of Traumatogenic Events", human intervention, duration and severity of the disorder (evaluated by the Impact of Events Scale) … The number of subjects required was calculated at 19 patients and 19 controls.
Exploring Mechanisms of Action in MDMA-assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD
Posttraumatic Stress DisorderThis study measures biological and psychological processes that might help researchers to better understand what is taking place during low or medium dose and full dose MDMA-assisted psychotherapy treatment in people with PTSD. Heart rate variability (HRV) will be measured up to three times; before and once or twice after receiving MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. Brain activity will be measured before and after MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in response to personalized trauma-related scripts. Participants will complete a measure of self-compassion at baseline and two months after a final experimental treatment session. Therapy techniques observed during recorded treatment sessions will be classified using a standardized clinical measure.
Cognitive Characteristics of PTSD Patients With OCD
Post-Traumatic Stress DisordersObsessive-Compulsive DisorderCognitive profile of patients who suffer both from PTSD and OCD, as compared to those who suffer from PTSD or OCD without other comorbidity.