1
|
Houle SA, Ein N, Gervasio J, Plouffe RA, Litz BT, Carleton RN, Hansen KT, Liu JJW, Ashbaugh AR, Callaghan W, Thompson MM, Easterbrook B, Smith-MacDonald L, Rodrigues S, Bélanger SAH, Bright K, Lanius RA, Baker C, Younger W, Bremault-Phillips S, Hosseiny F, Richardson JD, Nazarov A. Measuring moral distress and moral injury: A systematic review and content analysis of existing scales. Clin Psychol Rev 2024; 108:102377. [PMID: 38218124 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2023.102377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Moral distress (MD) and moral injury (MI) are related constructs describing the negative consequences of morally challenging stressors. Despite growing support for the clinical relevance of these constructs, ongoing challenges regarding measurement quality risk limiting research and clinical advances. This study summarizes the nature, quality, and utility of existing MD and MI scales, and provides recommendations for future use. METHOD We identified psychometric studies describing the development or validation of MD or MI scales and extracted information on methodological and psychometric qualities. Content analyses identified specific outcomes measured by each scale. RESULTS We reviewed 77 studies representing 42 unique scales. The quality of psychometric approaches varied greatly across studies, and most failed to examine convergent and divergent validity. Content analyses indicated most scales measure exposures to potential moral stressors and outcomes together, with relatively few measuring only exposures (n = 3) or outcomes (n = 7). Scales using the term MD typically assess general distress. Scales using the term MI typically assess several specific outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Results show how the terms MD and MI are applied in research. Several scales were identified as appropriate for research and clinical use. Recommendations for the application, development, and validation of MD and MI scales are provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A Houle
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada; Research Directorate, Veterans Affairs Canada, Charlottetown, Canada
| | - Natalie Ein
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Julia Gervasio
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada
| | - Rachel A Plouffe
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Brett T Litz
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University, Boston, USA; Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, USA; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, USA
| | | | - Kevin T Hansen
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada
| | - Jenny J W Liu
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Canada
| | | | - Walter Callaghan
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Bethany Easterbrook
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada; Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | | | - Sara Rodrigues
- The Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | | | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Clara Baker
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada
| | - William Younger
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada
| | | | | | - J Don Richardson
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Canada; St. Joseph's Operational Stress Injury Clinic, St. Joseph's Health Care London, London, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Anthony Nazarov
- MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
D’Alessandro-Lowe AM, Patel H, Easterbrook B, Ritchie K, Brown A, Xue Y, Karram M, Millman H, Sullo E, Pichtikova M, Nicholson A, Heber A, Malain A, O’Connor C, Schielke H, Rodrigues S, Hosseiny F, McCabe RE, Lanius RA, McKinnon MC. The independent and combined impact of moral injury and moral distress on post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2024; 15:2299661. [PMID: 38334706 PMCID: PMC10860446 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2299661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) across the globe have reported symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moral Injury (MI) has been associated with PTSD in military populations, but is not well studied in healthcare contexts. Moral Distress (MD), a related concept, may enhance understandings of MI and its relation to PTSD among HCWs. This study examined the independent and combined impact of MI and MD on PTSD symptoms in Canadian HCWs during the pandemic.Methods: HCWs participated in an online survey between February and December 2021, with questions regarding sociodemographics, mental health and trauma history (e.g. MI, MD, PTSD, dissociation, depression, anxiety, stress, childhood adversity). Structural equation modelling was used to analyze the independent and combined impact of MI and MD on PTSD symptoms (including dissociation) among the sample when controlling for sex, age, depression, anxiety, stress, and childhood adversity.Results: A structural equation model independently regressing both MI and MD onto PTSD accounted for 74.4% of the variance in PTSD symptoms. Here, MI was strongly and significantly associated with PTSD symptoms (β = .412, p < .0001) to a higher degree than MD (β = .187, p < .0001), after controlling for age, sex, depression, anxiety, stress and childhood adversity. A model regressing a combined MD and MI construct onto PTSD predicted approximately 87% of the variance in PTSD symptoms (r2 = .87, p < .0001), with MD/MI strongly and significantly associated with PTSD (β = .813, p < .0001), after controlling for age, sex, depression, anxiety, stress, and childhood adversity.Conclusion: Our results support a relation between MI and PTSD among HCWs and suggest that a combined MD and MI construct is most strongly associated with PTSD symptoms. Further research is needed better understand the mechanisms through which MD/MI are associated with PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Herry Patel
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Kim Ritchie
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Yuanxin Xue
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mauda Karram
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Emily Sullo
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mina Pichtikova
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew Nicholson
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alex Heber
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Canadian Institute for Pandemic Health Education and Response, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Ann Malain
- Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Sarah Rodrigues
- University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fardous Hosseiny
- University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Randi E. McCabe
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth A. Lanius
- University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Margaret C. McKinnon
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rabellino D, Thome J, Densmore M, Théberge J, McKinnon MC, Lanius RA. The Vestibulocerebellum and the Shattered Self: a Resting-State Functional Connectivity Study in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Its Dissociative Subtype. Cerebellum 2023; 22:1083-1097. [PMID: 36121553 PMCID: PMC10657293 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-022-01467-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The flocculus is a region of the vestibulocerebellum dedicated to the coordination of neck, head, and eye movements for optimal posture, balance, and orienting responses. Despite growing evidence of vestibular and oculomotor impairments in the aftermath of traumatic stress, little is known about the effects of chronic psychological trauma on vestibulocerebellar functioning. Here, we investigated alterations in functional connectivity of the flocculus at rest among individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its dissociative subtype (PTSD + DS) as compared to healthy controls. Forty-four healthy controls, 57 PTSD, and 32 PTSD + DS underwent 6-min resting-state MRI scans. Seed-based functional connectivity analyses using the right and left flocculi as seeds were performed. These analyses revealed that, as compared to controls, PTSD and PTSD + DS showed decreased resting-state functional connectivity of the left flocculus with cortical regions involved in bodily self-consciousness, including the temporo-parietal junction, the supramarginal and angular gyri, and the superior parietal lobule. Moreover, as compared to controls, the PTSD + DS group showed decreased functional connectivity of the left flocculus with the medial prefrontal cortex, the precuneus, and the mid/posterior cingulum, key regions of the default mode network. Critically, when comparing PTSD + DS to PTSD, we observed increased functional connectivity of the right flocculus with the right anterior hippocampus, a region affected frequently by early life trauma. Taken together, our findings point toward the crucial role of the flocculus in the neurocircuitry underlying a coherent and embodied self, which can be compromised in PTSD and PTSD + DS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Rabellino
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, University Hospital, (Room C3-103), 339 Windermere Road, London, ON, N6A 5A5, Canada.
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| | - Janine Thome
- Department of Theoretical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maria Densmore
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, University Hospital, (Room C3-103), 339 Windermere Road, London, ON, N6A 5A5, Canada
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jean Théberge
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, University Hospital, (Room C3-103), 339 Windermere Road, London, ON, N6A 5A5, Canada
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada
- Mood Disorders Program and Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, University Hospital, (Room C3-103), 339 Windermere Road, London, ON, N6A 5A5, Canada
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Park AH, Patel H, Mirabelli J, Eder SJ, Steyrl D, Lueger-Schuster B, Scharnowski F, O'Connor C, Martin P, Lanius RA, McKinnon MC, Nicholson AA. Machine learning models predict PTSD severity and functional impairment: A personalized medicine approach for uncovering complex associations among heterogeneous symptom profiles. Psychol Trauma 2023:2024-28593-001. [PMID: 38010788 DOI: 10.1037/tra0001602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychiatric illness, experienced by approximately 10% of the population. Heterogeneous presentations that include heightened dissociation, comorbid anxiety and depression, and emotion dysregulation contribute to the severity of PTSD, in turn, creating barriers to recovery. There is an urgent need to use data-driven approaches to better characterize complex psychiatric presentations with the aim of improving treatment outcomes. We sought to determine if machine learning models could predict PTSD-related illness in a real-world treatment-seeking population using self-report clinical data. METHOD Secondary clinical data from 2017 to 2019 included pretreatment measures such as trauma-related symptoms, other mental health symptoms, functional impairment, and demographic information from adults admitted to an inpatient unit for PTSD in Canada (n = 393). We trained two nonlinear machine learning models (extremely randomized trees) to identify predictors of (a) PTSD symptom severity and (b) functional impairment. We assessed model performance based on predictions in novel subsets of patients. RESULTS Approximately 43% of the variance in PTSD symptom severity (R²avg = .43, R²median = .44, p = .001) was predicted by symptoms of anxiety, dissociation, depression, negative trauma-related beliefs about others, and emotion dysregulation. In addition, 32% of the variance in functional impairment scores (R²avg = .32, R²median = .33, p = .001) was predicted by anxiety, PTSD symptom severity, cognitive dysfunction, dissociation, and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Our results reinforce that dissociation, cooccurring anxiety and depressive symptoms, maladaptive trauma appraisals, cognitive dysfunction, and emotion dysregulation are critical targets for trauma-related interventions. Machine learning models can inform personalized medicine approaches to maximize trauma recovery in real-world inpatient populations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna H Park
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University
| | - Herry Patel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University
| | - James Mirabelli
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University
| | - Stephanie J Eder
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna
| | - David Steyrl
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna
| | | | - Frank Scharnowski
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
D'Alessandro-Lowe AM, Ritchie K, Brown A, Easterbrook B, Xue Y, Pichtikova M, Altman M, Beech I, Millman H, Foster F, Hassall K, Levy Y, Streiner DL, Hosseiny F, Rodrigues S, Heber A, O'Connor C, Schielke H, Malain A, McCabe RE, Lanius RA, McKinnon MC. Canadian respiratory therapists who considered leaving their clinical position experienced elevated moral distress and adverse psychological and functional outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can 2023; 43:460-471. [PMID: 37991889 PMCID: PMC10753904 DOI: 10.24095/hpcdp.43.10/11.04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Respiratory therapists (RTs) faced morally distressing situations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, including working with limited resources and facilitating video calls for families of dying patients. Moral distress is associated with a host of adverse psychological and functional outcomes (e.g. depression, anxiety, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] and functional impairment) and consideration of position departure. The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of moral distress and its associated psychological and functional outcomes on consideration to leave a clinical position among Canadian RTs during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Canadian RTs (N = 213) completed an online survey between February and June 2021. Basic demographic information (e.g. age, sex, gender) and psychometrically validated measures of moral distress, depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD, dissociation, functional impairment, resilience and adverse childhood experiences were collected. RESULTS One in four RTs reported considering leaving their position. RTs considering leaving reported elevated levels of moral distress and adverse psychological and functional outcomes compared to RTs not considering leaving. Over half (54.5%) of those considering leaving scored above the cut-off for potential diagnosis of PTSD. Previous consideration to leave a position and having left a position in the past each significantly increased the odds of currently considering leaving, along with system-related moral distress and symptoms of PTSD, but the contribution of these latter factors was small. CONCLUSIONS Canadian RTs considering leaving their position reported elevated levels of distress and adverse psychological and functional outcomes, yet these individual-level factors appear unlikely to be the primary factors underlying RTs' consideration to leave, because their effects were small. Further research is required to identify broader, organizational factors that may contribute to consideration of position departure among Canadian RTs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kimberly Ritchie
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Yuanxin Xue
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mina Pichtikova
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Max Altman
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Isaac Beech
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Fatima Foster
- St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kelly Hassall
- St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yarden Levy
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - David L Streiner
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fardous Hosseiny
- Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sara Rodrigues
- Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexandra Heber
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Veterans Affairs Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Ann Malain
- Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Randi E McCabe
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Andrews K, Lloyd CS, Densmore M, Kearney BE, Harricharan S, McKinnon MC, Théberge J, Jetly R, Lanius RA. 'I am afraid you will see the stain on my soul': Direct gaze neural processing in individuals with PTSD after moral injury recall. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2023; 18:nsad053. [PMID: 37897804 PMCID: PMC10612569 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsad053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct eye contact is essential to understanding others' thoughts and feelings in social interactions. However, those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and exposure to moral injury (MI) may exhibit altered theory-of-mind (ToM)/mentalizing processes and experience shame which precludes one's capacity for direct eye contact. We investigated blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) responses associated with direct vs averted gaze using a virtual reality paradigm in individuals with PTSD (n = 28) relative to healthy controls (n = 18) following recall of a MI vs a neutral memory. Associations between BOLD responses and clinical symptomatology were also assessed. After MI recall, individuals with PTSD showed greater activation in the right temporoparietal junction as compared to controls (T = 4.83; pFDR < 0.001; k = 237) during direct gaze. No significant activation occurred during direct gaze after neutral memory recall. Further, a significant positive correlation was found between feelings of distress and right medial superior frontal gyrus activation in individuals with PTSD (T = 5.03; pFDR = 0.049; k = 123). These findings suggest that direct gaze after MI recall prompts compensatory ToM/mentalizing processing. Implications for future interventions aimed at mitigating the effects of PTSD on social functioning are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krysta Andrews
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
| | - Chantelle S Lloyd
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON N6C 0A7, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Maria Densmore
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON N6C 0A7, Canada
- Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6A 4V2, Canada
| | - Breanne E Kearney
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Sherain Harricharan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
- Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada
| | - Jean Théberge
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON N6C 0A7, Canada
- Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6A 4V2, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Rakesh Jetly
- Canadian Forces, Health Services, Ottawa, ON K1A 0S2, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON N6C 0A7, Canada
- Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6A 4V2, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kearney BE, Terpou BA, Densmore M, Shaw SB, Théberge J, Jetly R, McKinnon MC, Lanius RA. How the body remembers: Examining the default mode and sensorimotor networks during moral injury autobiographical memory retrieval in PTSD. Neuroimage Clin 2023; 38:103426. [PMID: 37207593 PMCID: PMC10206209 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2023.103426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Neural representations of sensory percepts and motor responses constitute key elements of autobiographical memory. However, these representations may remain as unintegrated sensory and motor fragments in traumatic memory, thus contributing toward re-experiencing and reliving symptoms in trauma-related conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Here, we investigated the sensorimotor network (SMN) and posterior default mode network (pDMN) using a group independent component analysis (ICA) by examining their functional connectivity during a script-driven memory retrieval paradigm of (potentially) morally injurious events in individuals with PTSD and healthy controls. Moral injury (MI), where an individual acts or fails to act in a morally aligned manner, is examined given its inherent ties to disrupted motor planning and thus sensorimotor mechanisms. Our findings revealed significant differences in functional network connectivity across the SMN and pDMN during MI retrieval in participants with PTSD (n = 65) as compared to healthy controls (n = 25). No such significant group-wise differences emerged during retrieval of a neutral memory. PTSD-related alterations included hyperconnectivity between the SMN and pDMN, enhanced within-network connectivity of the SMN with premotor areas, and increased recruitment of the supramarginal gyrus into both the SMN and the pDMN during MI retrieval. In parallel with these neuroimaging findings, a positive correlation was found between PTSD severity and subjective re-experiencing intensity ratings after MI retrieval. These results suggest a neural basis for traumatic re-experiencing, where reliving and/or re-enacting a past morally injurious event in the form of sensory and motor fragments occurs in place of retrieving a complete, past-contextualized narrative as put forth by Brewin and colleagues (1996) and Conway and Pleydell-Pearce (2000). These findings have implications for bottom-up treatments targeting directly the sensory and motoric elements of traumatic experiences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Breanne E Kearney
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Braeden A Terpou
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria Densmore
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Saurabh B Shaw
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jean Théberge
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rakesh Jetly
- Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Nicholson AA, Densmore M, Frewen PA, Neufeld RWJ, Théberge J, Jetly R, Lanius RA, Ros T. Homeostatic normalization of alpha brain rhythms within the default-mode network and reduced symptoms in PTSD following a randomized controlled trial of EEG neurofeedback. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad068. [PMID: 37065092 PMCID: PMC10090479 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Collective research has identified a key electroencephalogram (EEG) signature in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), consisting of abnormally reduced alpha (8-12 Hz) rhythms. We conducted a 20-session, double-blind, randomized controlled trial of alpha-desynchronizing neurofeedback in patients with PTSD over 20-weeks. Our objective was to provide mechanistic evidence underlying potential clinical improvements by examining changes in aberrant PTSD brain rhythms (namely, alpha oscillations) as a function of neurofeedback treatment.
We randomly assigned participants with a primary diagnosis of PTSD (n = 38) to either an experimental group (n = 20) or sham-control group (n = 18). A multi-channel EEG cap was used to record whole-scalp resting-state activity pre- and post-neurofeedback treatment, for both the experimental and sham-control PTSD groups.
We firstly observed significantly reduced relative alpha source power at baseline in patients with PTSD as compared to an age/sex-matched group of neurotypical healthy controls (n = 32), primarily within regions of the anterior default mode network. Post-treatment, we found that only PTSD patients in the experimental NFB group demonstrated significant alpha resynchronization within areas that displayed abnormally low alpha power at baseline. In parallel, we observed significantly decreased PTSD severity scores in the experimental neurofeedback group only, when comparing baseline to post-treatment (Cohen’s d = 0.77) and 3-month follow-up scores (Cohen’s d = 0.75), with a remission rate of 60.0% at the 3-month follow-up.
Overall, our results indicate that neurofeedback training has the capacity to rescue pathologically reduced alpha rhythmicity, a functional biomarker that has repeatedly been linked to symptoms of hyperarousal and cortical disinhibition in PTSD. This randomized-controlled trial provides long-term evidence suggesting that the “alpha rebound effect” (i.e., homeostatic alpha resynchronization) occurs within key regions of the default mode network previously implicated in PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Nicholson
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa , Canada
- Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Royal Ottawa Hospital , Canada
- The University of Ottawa’s Institute of Mental Health Research, Royal Ottawa Hospital , Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University , London, ON , Canada
| | - Maria Densmore
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University , London, ON , Canada
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute , London, ON , Canada
| | - Paul A Frewen
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University , London, ON , Canada
- Department of Psychology, Western University , London, ON , Canada
| | - Richard W J Neufeld
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University , London, ON , Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University , London, ON , Canada
- Department of Psychology, Western University , London, ON , Canada
| | - Jean Théberge
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University , London, ON , Canada
- Department of Psychology, Western University , London, ON , Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University , London, ON , Canada
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute , London, ON , Canada
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Joseph’s Healthcare , London, ON , Canada
| | - Rakesh Jetly
- Defence Research and Development Canada , Toronto, Ontario , Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University , London, ON , Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University , London, ON , Canada
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute , London, ON , Canada
| | - Tomas Ros
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, University of Geneva; Campus Biotech , Geneva , Switzerland
- Centre for Biomedical Imaging (CIBM) , Lausanne-Geneva, Geneva , Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ritchie K, D’Alessandro-Lowe AM, Brown A, Millman H, Pichtikova M, Xue Y, Altman M, Beech I, Karram M, Hosseiny F, Rodrigues S, O’Connor C, Schielke H, Malain A, McCabe RE, Heber A, Lanius RA, McKinnon MC. The Hidden Crisis: Understanding Potentially Morally Injurious Events Experienced by Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 in Canada. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:4813. [PMID: 36981725 PMCID: PMC10049639 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare providers (HCPs) may be at elevated risk for moral injury due to increased exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Identifying PMIEs experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic is a critical first step for understanding moral injury in HCPs. Accordingly, the purpose of the present study was to gain a deeper understanding of the work-related PMIEs experienced by HCPs in Canada during the pandemic. METHODS Canadian HCPs completed an online survey between February and December 2021 about mental health and functioning, including demographics and the Moral Injury Outcome Scale (MIOS). We conducted a qualitative thematic analysis of PMIEs described extemporaneously by HCPs in the open-text field of the MIOS. RESULTS One-hundred and twenty-four (N = 124) HCPs were included in analysis. Eight PMIE-related themes were identified, comprising patients dying alone; provision of futile care; professional opinion being ignored; witnessing patient harm; bullying, violence and divided opinions; resources and personal protective equipment; increased workload and decreased staffing; and conflicting values. CONCLUSIONS Understanding broad categories of PMIES experienced by Canadian HCPs during the COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportunity to enhance cultural competency surrounding their experiences which will aid the development of targeted prevention and intervention approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kim Ritchie
- Trent/Fleming School of Nursing, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
| | | | - Andrea Brown
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
| | - Heather Millman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
| | - Mina Pichtikova
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1V6, Canada
| | - Yuanxin Xue
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Maxwell Altman
- Department of Psychology Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Isaac Beech
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
| | - Mauda Karram
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
| | - Fardous Hosseiny
- Atlas Institute of Veterans and Families, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
- Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
| | - Sara Rodrigues
- Atlas Institute of Veterans and Families, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
- Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
| | | | | | - Ann Malain
- Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
| | - Randi E. McCabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada
| | - Alexandra Heber
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- Veteran’s Affairs Canada, Ottawa, ON K1H 1A1, Canada
| | - Ruth A. Lanius
- Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Margaret C. McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
- St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lieberman JM, Rabellino D, Densmore M, Frewen PA, Steyrl D, Scharnowski F, Théberge J, Neufeld RWJ, Schmahl C, Jetly R, Narikuzhy S, Lanius RA, Nicholson AA. Posterior cingulate cortex targeted real-time fMRI neurofeedback recalibrates functional connectivity with the amygdala, posterior insula, and default-mode network in PTSD. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e2883. [PMID: 36791212 PMCID: PMC10013955 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations within large-scale brain networks-namely, the default mode (DMN) and salience networks (SN)-are present among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography neurofeedback studies suggest that regulating posterior cingulate cortex (PCC; the primary hub of the posterior DMN) activity may reduce PTSD symptoms and recalibrate altered network dynamics. However, PCC connectivity to the DMN and SN during PCC-targeted fMRI neurofeedback remains unexamined and may help to elucidate neurophysiological mechanisms through which these symptom improvements may occur. METHODS Using a trauma/emotion provocation paradigm, we investigated psychophysiological interactions over a single session of neurofeedback among PTSD (n = 14) and healthy control (n = 15) participants. We compared PCC functional connectivity between regulate (in which participants downregulated PCC activity) and view (in which participants did not exert regulatory control) conditions across the whole-brain as well as in a priori specified regions-of-interest. RESULTS During regulate as compared to view conditions, only the PTSD group showed significant PCC connectivity with anterior DMN (dmPFC, vmPFC) and SN (posterior insula) regions, whereas both groups displayed PCC connectivity with other posterior DMN areas (precuneus/cuneus). Additionally, as compared with controls, the PTSD group showed significantly greater PCC connectivity with the SN (amygdala) during regulate as compared to view conditions. Moreover, linear regression analyses revealed that during regulate as compared to view conditions, PCC connectivity to DMN and SN regions was positively correlated to psychiatric symptoms across all participants. CONCLUSION In summary, observations of PCC connectivity to the DMN and SN provide emerging evidence of neural mechanisms underlying PCC-targeted fMRI neurofeedback among individuals with PTSD. This supports the use of PCC-targeted neurofeedback as a means by which to recalibrate PTSD-associated alterations in neural connectivity within the DMN and SN, which together, may help to facilitate improved emotion regulation abilities in PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M Lieberman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniela Rabellino
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria Densmore
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul A Frewen
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Steyrl
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Frank Scharnowski
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jean Théberge
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Joseph's Healthcare, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard W J Neufeld
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christian Schmahl
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rakesh Jetly
- The Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Royal Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sandhya Narikuzhy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew A Nicholson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,The Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Royal Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Karram M, D’Alessandro-Lowe AM, Ritchie K, Brown A, Xue Y, Pichtikova M, Altman M, Beech I, Millman H, Hosseiny F, Rodrigues S, Heber A, O’Connor C, Schielke H, Malain A, Lanius RA, McCabe RE, McKinnon MC. A Qualitative Approach to Understanding Canadian Healthcare Workers' Use of Coping Strategies during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:2551. [PMID: 36767913 PMCID: PMC9915458 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) have been exposed to highly stressful situations, including increased workloads and exposure to mortality, thus posing a risk for adverse psychological outcomes, including acute stress, moral injury, and depression or anxiety symptoms. Although several reports have sought to identify the types of coping strategies used by HCWs over the course of the pandemic (e.g., physical activity, religion/spirituality, meditation, and alcohol), it remains unclear which factors may influence HCWs' choice of these coping strategies. Accordingly, using a qualitative approach, the purpose of the present study was to gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing HCWs' choice of coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Fifty-one HCWs participated in virtual, semi-structured interviews between February and June 2021. Interview transcripts were analysed through an inductive thematic approach, yielding two primary themes. First, HCWs described an ongoing shift in their approach to coping depending on their mental "bandwidth", ranging from "quick fix" to more "intentional effort" strategies to engage in proactive strategies to improve mental health. Second, many HCWs identified various barriers to desired coping strategies during the pandemic, including the preponderance of pandemic- and other circumstantial-related barriers. The findings from this study offer a unique understanding of the factors influencing HCWs' choice of coping strategies under novel and increased stress. This knowledge will be central to developing appropriate forms of support and resources to equip HCWs throughout and after the pandemic period, and in mitigating the potential adverse mental health impacts of this period of prolonged stress and potential trauma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mauda Karram
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L6, Canada
| | | | - Kimberly Ritchie
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
- Trent/Fleming School of Nursing, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Andrea Brown
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
| | - Yuanxin Xue
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Mina Pichtikova
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1V6, Canada
| | - Maxwell Altman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
| | - Isaac Beech
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
| | - Heather Millman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
| | - Fardous Hosseiny
- Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
- Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
| | - Sara Rodrigues
- Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
- Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
| | - Alexandra Heber
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- Veteran’s Affairs Canada, Ottawa, ON K1H 1A1, Canada
| | | | | | - Ann Malain
- Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
| | - Ruth A. Lanius
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada
| | - Randi E. McCabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada
| | - Margaret C. McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
- St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
D’Alessandro-Lowe AM, Ritchie K, Brown A, Xue Y, Pichtikova M, Altman M, Beech I, Millman H, Levy Y, Asma S, Hassall K, Foster F, Rodrigues S, Hosseiny F, O’Connor C, Heber A, Malain A, Schielke H, Lanius RA, McCabe RE, McKinnon MC. Characterizing the mental health and functioning of Canadian respiratory therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2023; 14:2171751. [PMID: 36880459 PMCID: PMC9990694 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2171751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) appear to be at increased risk for negative psychological outcomes [e.g. depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), moral distress] and associated impacts on functioning throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. HCPs working on designated COVID-19 units may be further impacted than their colleagues not on these units given added demands of patient care and risk of contracting COVID-19. Little is known, however, about the mental health and functioning of specific professional groups beyond nurses and physicians, including respiratory therapists (RTs), over the course of the pandemic. Accordingly, the purpose of the present study was to characterize the mental health and functioning of Canadian RTs and compare profiles between RTs working on and off designated COVID-19 units.Methods: Canadian RTs completed an online survey between February and June 2021, including demographic information (e.g. age, sex, gender,) and measures of depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD, moral distress and functional impairment. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses and between-groups comparisons were conducted to characterize RTs and compare profiles between those on and off COVID-19 units.Results: Two hundred and eighteen (N = 218) RTs participated in this study. The estimated response rate was relatively low (6.2%) Approximately half of the sample endorsed clinically relevant symptoms of depression (52%), anxiety (51%) and stress (54%) and one in three (33%) screened positively for potential PTSD. All symptoms correlated positively with functional impairment (p's < .05). RTs working on COVID-19 units reported significantly greater patient-related moral distress compared to those not on these units (p < .05).Conclusion: Moral distress and symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and PTSD were prevalent among Canadian RTs and were associated with functional impacts. These results must be interpreted with caution given a low response rate, yet raise concern regarding the long-term impacts of pandemic service among RTs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kimberly Ritchie
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Yuanxin Xue
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mina Pichtikova
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Max Altman
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Isaac Beech
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Yarden Levy
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Senay Asma
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kelly Hassall
- St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fatima Foster
- St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sara Rodrigues
- Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- University of Ottawa Institute for Mental Health at the Royal, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fardous Hosseiny
- Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- University of Ottawa Institute for Mental Health at the Royal, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Alexandra Heber
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Veterans Affairs Canada
| | - Ann Malain
- Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Ruth A. Lanius
- University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Lawson Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Randi E. McCabe
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Margaret C. McKinnon
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kearney BE, Corrigan FM, Frewen PA, Nevill S, Harricharan S, Andrews K, Jetly R, McKinnon MC, Lanius RA. A randomized controlled trial of Deep Brain Reorienting: a neuroscientifically guided treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2023; 14:2240691. [PMID: 37581275 PMCID: PMC10431732 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2240691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advanced neuroscientific insights surrounding post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its associated symptomatology should beget psychotherapeutic treatments that integrate these insights into practice. Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) is a neuroscientifically-guided psychotherapeutic intervention that targets the brainstem-level neurophysiological sequence that transpired during a traumatic event. Given that contemporary treatments have non-response rates of up to 50% and high drop-out rates of >18%, DBR is investigated as a putative candidate for effective treatment of some individuals with PTSD. OBJECTIVE To conduct an interim evaluation of the effectiveness of an eight-session clinical trial of videoconference-based DBR versus waitlist (WL) control for individuals with PTSD. METHOD Fifty-four individuals with PTSD were randomly assigned to DBR (N = 29) or WL (N = 25). At baseline, post-treatment, and three-month follow-up, participants' PTSD symptom severity was assessed using the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5). This is an interim analysis of a clinical trial registered with the U. S. National Institute of Health (NCT04317820). RESULTS Significant between-group differences in CAPS-total and all subscale scores (re-experiencing, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions/mood, alterations in arousal/reactivity) were found at post-treatment (CAPS-total: Cohen's d = 1.17) and 3-month-follow-up (3MFU) (CAPS-total: Cohen's d = 1.18). Significant decreases in CAPS-total and all subscale scores were observed within the DBR group pre - to post-treatment (36.6% CAPS-total reduction) and pre-treatment to 3MFU (48.6% CAPS-total reduction), whereas no significant decreases occurred in the WL group. After DBR, 48.3% at post-treatment and 52.0% at 3MFU no longer met PTSD criteria. Attrition was minimal with one participant not completing treatment; eight participants were lost to 3MFU. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide emerging evidence for the effectiveness of DBR as a well-tolerated treatment that is based on theoretical advances highlighting alterations to subcortical mechanisms in PTSD and associated symptomatology. Additional research utilizing larger sample sizes, neuroimaging data, and comparisons or adjacencies with other psychotherapeutic approaches is warranted.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04317820..
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Frank M. Corrigan
- Trauma Psychotherapy Scotland, Newton Terrace, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Paul A. Frewen
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychology, Western University, London, Canada
| | | | - Sherain Harricharan
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Krysta Andrews
- Offord Centre for Child Studies, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Rakesh Jetly
- Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Margaret C. McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Ruth A. Lanius
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychology, Western University, London, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Shaw SB, Nicholson AA, Ros T, Harricharan S, Terpou B, Densmore M, Theberge J, Frewen P, Lanius RA. Increased top-down control of emotions during symptom provocation working memory tasks following a RCT of alpha-down neurofeedback in PTSD. Neuroimage Clin 2023; 37:103313. [PMID: 36669352 PMCID: PMC9868881 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2023.103313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been found to be associated with emotion under-modulation from the prefrontal cortex and a breakdown of the top-down control of cognition and emotion. Novel adjunct therapies such as neurofeedback (NFB) have been shown to normalize aberrant neural circuits that underlie PTSD psychopathology at rest. However, little evidence exists for NFB-linked neural improvements under emotionally relevant cognitive load. The current study sought to address this gap by examining the effects of alpha-down NFB in the context of an emotional n-back task. METHODS We conducted a 20-week double-blind randomized, sham-controlled trial of alpha-down NFB and collected neuroimaging data before and after the NFB protocol. Participants performed an emotional 1-back and 2-back working memory task, with interleaved trauma-neutral and trauma-relevant cues in the fMRI scanner. Data from 35 participants with a primary diagnosis of PTSD were analyzed in this study (n = 18 in the experimental group undergoing alpha-down NFB, n = 17 in the sham-control group). RESULTS Firstly, within-group analyses showed clinically significant reductions in PTSD symptom severity scores at the post-intervention timepoint and 3-month follow-up for the experimental group, and not for the sham-control group. The neuroimaging analyses revealed that alpha-down NFB enhanced engagement of top-down cognitive and emotional control centers, such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), and improved integration of the anterior and posterior parts of the default mode network (DMN). Finally, our results also indicate that increased alpha-down NFB performance correlated with increased activity in brain regions involved in top-down control and bodily consciousness/embodied processing of self (TPJ and posterior insula). CONCLUSION This is the first study to provide mechanistic insights into how NFB may normalize dysfunctional brain activity and connectivity in PTSD under cognitive load with simultaneous symptom provocation, adding to a growing body of evidence supporting the therapeutic neuromodulatory effects of NFB. This preliminary study highlights the benefits of alpha-down NFB training as an adjunctive therapy for PTSD and warrants further investigation into its therapeutic effects on cognitive and emotion control in those with PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh Bhaskar Shaw
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Vector Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Homewood Research Institute (HRI), Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Andrew A Nicholson
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Canada; Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Royal Ottawa Hospital, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tomas Ros
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sherain Harricharan
- Homewood Research Institute (HRI), Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Braeden Terpou
- Homewood Research Institute (HRI), Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria Densmore
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jean Theberge
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Joseph's Healthcare, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul Frewen
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Homewood Research Institute (HRI), Guelph, Ontario, Canada; St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kearney BE, Lanius RA. The brain-body disconnect: A somatic sensory basis for trauma-related disorders. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1015749. [PMID: 36478879 PMCID: PMC9720153 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1015749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the manifestation of trauma in the body is a phenomenon well-endorsed by clinicians and traumatized individuals, the neurobiological underpinnings of this manifestation remain unclear. The notion of somatic sensory processing, which encompasses vestibular and somatosensory processing and relates to the sensory systems concerned with how the physical body exists in and relates to physical space, is introduced as a major contributor to overall regulatory, social-emotional, and self-referential functioning. From a phylogenetically and ontogenetically informed perspective, trauma-related symptomology is conceptualized to be grounded in brainstem-level somatic sensory processing dysfunction and its cascading influences on physiological arousal modulation, affect regulation, and higher-order capacities. Lastly, we introduce a novel hierarchical model bridging somatic sensory processes with limbic and neocortical mechanisms regulating an individual's emotional experience and sense of a relational, agentive self. This model provides a working framework for the neurobiologically informed assessment and treatment of trauma-related conditions from a somatic sensory processing perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Breanne E. Kearney
- Department of Neuroscience, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ruth A. Lanius
- Department of Neuroscience, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Thorne TE, Titley HK, Duan Y, Norton PG, Lanius RA, Estabrooks CA. Care aides' perceptions of caring for residents with a history of psychological trauma in Western Canadian care homes. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2022; 37. [PMID: 36205024 DOI: 10.1002/gps.5818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore care aide perceptions of caring for residents who aides perceived had past psychological trauma. METHODS Through cognitive interviews, we developed a definition of trauma for four survey questions about caring for residents with psychological trauma. We added these questions to our routine care aide survey in 91 care homes in Western Canada (September 2019 to February 2020). We asked if care aides perceived that they were caring for residents with trauma, how often, types of trauma experienced, and what indication led them to perceive a resident had experienced trauma. We analyzed data using content analysis (open-ended questions) and regression analyses (closed-ended questions). RESULTS Three thousand seven hundred and sixty five care aides responded (70% response rate) to the survey, and 53% perceived caring for one or more residents with a history of psychological trauma in the previous 2 weeks. Within six categories of traumatic events, abuse (35%) and war exposure (26%) were most common. Most common indications of trauma reported by care aides (five categories) were reliving the experience or having intrusive symptoms (28%) and avoidant behaviors (24%). Care aides were more likely to report caring for a resident who they perceived had experienced past psychological trauma if they were younger, spoke English as their first language, self-reported experiencing more aggression from residents, or who worked in not-for-profit homes. CONCLUSIONS This preliminary study supports the need for further study of care aides' perceptions and experiences of caring for residents with past trauma, and the effects of caring for these residents on quality of work life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Trina E Thorne
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Heather K Titley
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Yinfei Duan
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Peter G Norton
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry & Department of Neuroscience, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Estabrooks CA, Titley HK, Thorne T, Banerjee S, Feldman HH, Silvius J, Lanius RA. A Matter for Life and Death: Managing Psychological Trauma in Care Homes. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2022; 23:1123-1126. [PMID: 35788266 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2022.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Heather K Titley
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Trina Thorne
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sube Banerjee
- Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Howard H Feldman
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - James Silvius
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry and Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Boyd JE, Sanger BD, Cameron DH, Protopopescu A, McCabe RE, O’Connor C, Lanius RA, McKinnon MC. A Pilot Study Assessing the Effects of Goal Management Training on Cognitive Functions among Individuals with Major Depressive Disorder and the Effect of Post-Traumatic Symptoms on Response to Intervention. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12070864. [PMID: 35884671 PMCID: PMC9312851 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12070864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent meta-analyses highlight alterations in cognitive functioning among individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD), with performance deficits observed across multiple cognitive domains including executive functioning, memory, and attention. Moreover, impaired concentration is a formal diagnostic criterion for a major depressive episode. Notably, cognitive impairment is reported frequently in MDD and is associated with poor treatment response. Despite this knowledge, research examining the effectiveness of top-down, adjunctive treatments for cognitive dysfunction in MDD remains in its infancy. The primary aim of the present study was to perform a pilot investigation of the implementation of a standardized cognitive remediation program, Goal Management Training (GMT), among individuals with a primary diagnosis of MDD. A secondary aim was to explore how comorbid symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among those MDD patients exposed to trauma may affect treatment response. A final sample of thirty individuals were randomized to either participate in the nine-week GMT program (active group; n = 16) or to complete a nine-week waiting period (waitlist control; n = 14). One participant was excluded from the GMT group analysis following study completion due to meeting an exclusion criteria. In total, 60% of the individuals allocated to the GMT program were trauma exposed (n = 9). Groups were assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and at three-month follow-up. The assessment comprised neuropsychological tasks assessing a variety of cognitive domains, subjective measures of functioning and symptom severity, as well as a clinical interview to establish a primary diagnosis of MDD. Significant gains in processing speed, attention/concentration, and response inhibition were observed for the participants in the GMT condition relative to participants in the waitlist control condition. Individuals in the GMT condition also reported improvements in subjective cognitive functioning from baseline to post-treatment. Heightened PTSD symptom severity was associated with reduced response to treatment with respect to the domain of processing speed. The results of this pilot investigation highlight not only the potential utility of GMT as an augmentative treatment in MDD, but also highlight the contribution of comorbid symptoms of PTSD to diminished treatment response among trauma-exposed individuals with MDD. The study is limited primarily by its small pilot sample and the absence of a program evaluation component to gauge participant opinions and feedback of the treatment protocol.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenna E. Boyd
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 3L8, Canada; (J.E.B.); (D.H.C.); (R.E.M.)
- Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
| | - Brahm D. Sanger
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 3L8, Canada; (B.D.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Duncan H. Cameron
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 3L8, Canada; (J.E.B.); (D.H.C.); (R.E.M.)
- Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
| | - Alina Protopopescu
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 3L8, Canada; (B.D.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Randi E. McCabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 3L8, Canada; (J.E.B.); (D.H.C.); (R.E.M.)
- Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
| | | | - Ruth A. Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON N6C 5J1, Canada;
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
| | - Margaret C. McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 3L8, Canada; (J.E.B.); (D.H.C.); (R.E.M.)
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
- Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Thome J, Densmore M, Terpou BA, Théberge J, McKinnon MC, Lanius RA. Contrasting Associations Between Heart Rate Variability and Brainstem-Limbic Connectivity in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Its Dissociative Subtype: A Pilot Study. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:862192. [PMID: 35706833 PMCID: PMC9190757 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.862192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Increasing evidence points toward the need to extend the neurobiological conceptualization of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to include evolutionarily conserved neurocircuitries centered on the brainstem and the midbrain. The reticular activating system (RAS) helps to shape the arousal state of the brain, acting as a bridge between brain and body. To modulate arousal, the RAS is closely tied to the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Individuals with PTSD often reveal altered arousal patterns, ranging from hyper- to blunted arousal states, as well as altered functional connectivity profiles of key arousal-related brain structures that receive direct projections from the RAS. Accordingly, the present study aims to explore resting state functional connectivity of the RAS and its interaction with the ANS in participants with PTSD and its dissociative subtype. Methods Individuals with PTSD (n = 57), its dissociative subtype (PTSD + DS, n = 32) and healthy controls (n = 40) underwent a 6-min resting functional magnetic resonance imaging and pulse data recording. Resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) of a central node of the RAS – the pedunculopontine nuclei (PPN) – was investigated along with its relation to ANS functioning as indexed by heart rate variability (HRV). HRV is a prominent marker indexing the flexibility of an organism to react adaptively to environmental needs, with higher HRV representing greater effective adaptation. Results Both PTSD and PTSD + DS demonstrated reduced HRV as compared to controls. HRV measures were then correlated with rsFC of the PPN. Critically, participants with PTSD and participants with PTSD + DS displayed inverse correlations between HRV and rsFC between the PPN and key limbic structures, including the amygdala. Whereas participants with PTSD displayed a positive relationship between HRV and PPN rsFC with the amygdala, participants with PTSD + DS demonstrated a negative relationship between HRV and PPN rsFC with the amygdala. Conclusion The present exploratory investigation reveals contrasting patterns of arousal-related circuitry among participants with PTSD and PTSD + DS, providing a neurobiological lens to interpret hyper- and more blunted arousal states in PTSD and PTSD + DS, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janine Thome
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Theoretical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Maria Densmore
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Braeden A. Terpou
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Jean Théberge
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Margaret C. McKinnon
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Mood Disorders Programs, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Ruth A. Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Ruth A. Lanius,
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Terpou BA, Lloyd CS, Densmore M, McKinnon MC, Théberge J, Neufeld RWJ, Jetly R, Lanius RA. Moral wounds run deep: exaggerated midbrain functional network connectivity across the default mode network in posttraumatic stress disorder. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2022; 47:E56-E66. [PMID: 35177485 PMCID: PMC8865964 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.210117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A moral injury occurs when a deeply held moral code has been violated, and it can lead to the development of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the neural correlates that differentiate moral injury and PTSD remain largely unknown. Intrinsic connectivity networks such as the default mode network (DMN) appear to be altered in people with PTSD who have experienced moral injury. However, brainstem, midbrain and cerebellar systems are rarely integrated into the intrinsic connectivity networks; this is a critical oversight, because these systems display marked differences in people with PTSD and are thought to underlie strong moral emotions such as shame, guilt and betrayal. METHODS We conducted an independent component analysis on data generated during script-driven memory recall of moral injury in participants with military- or law enforcement-related PTSD (n = 28), participants with civilian-related PTSD (n = 28) and healthy controls exposed to a potentially morally injurious event (n = 18). We conducted group-wise comparisons of functional network connectivity differences across a DMN-correlated independent component, with a particular focus on brainstem, midbrain and cerebellar systems. RESULTS We found stronger functional network connectivity in the midbrain periaqueductal grey (t 71 = 4.95, p FDR = 0.028, k = 39) and cerebellar lobule IX (t 71 = 4.44, p FDR = 0.046, k = 49) in participants with civilian-related PTSD as compared to healthy controls. We also found a trend toward stronger functional network connectivity in the midbrain periaqueductal grey (t 71 = 4.22, p FDR = 0.076, k = 60) in participants with military- or law enforcement-related PTSD as compared to healthy controls. LIMITATIONS The significant clusters were large, but resolution is generally lower for subcortical structures. CONCLUSION In PTSD, the DMN appears to be biased toward lower-level, midbrain systems, which may drive toxic shame and related moral emotions that are common in PTSD, highlighting the depth at which moral injuries are represented neurobiologically.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Braeden A Terpou
- From the Department of Neuroscience (Terpou, Neufeld), the Department of Psychiatry (Lloyd, Densmore, Théberge, Neufeld, Lanius), the Department of Medical Biophysics (Théberge), the Department of Psychology (Neufeld), Western University, London, Ont.; the Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute (Densmore, Lanius), the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour (Lloyd), the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences (McKinnon), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare (McKinnon), Hamilton, Ont.; Homewood Research Institute (McKinnon, Lanius), Guelph, Ont.; Canadian Forces, Health Services (Jetly), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Chantelle S Lloyd
- From the Department of Neuroscience (Terpou, Neufeld), the Department of Psychiatry (Lloyd, Densmore, Théberge, Neufeld, Lanius), the Department of Medical Biophysics (Théberge), the Department of Psychology (Neufeld), Western University, London, Ont.; the Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute (Densmore, Lanius), the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour (Lloyd), the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences (McKinnon), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare (McKinnon), Hamilton, Ont.; Homewood Research Institute (McKinnon, Lanius), Guelph, Ont.; Canadian Forces, Health Services (Jetly), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Maria Densmore
- From the Department of Neuroscience (Terpou, Neufeld), the Department of Psychiatry (Lloyd, Densmore, Théberge, Neufeld, Lanius), the Department of Medical Biophysics (Théberge), the Department of Psychology (Neufeld), Western University, London, Ont.; the Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute (Densmore, Lanius), the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour (Lloyd), the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences (McKinnon), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare (McKinnon), Hamilton, Ont.; Homewood Research Institute (McKinnon, Lanius), Guelph, Ont.; Canadian Forces, Health Services (Jetly), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- From the Department of Neuroscience (Terpou, Neufeld), the Department of Psychiatry (Lloyd, Densmore, Théberge, Neufeld, Lanius), the Department of Medical Biophysics (Théberge), the Department of Psychology (Neufeld), Western University, London, Ont.; the Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute (Densmore, Lanius), the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour (Lloyd), the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences (McKinnon), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare (McKinnon), Hamilton, Ont.; Homewood Research Institute (McKinnon, Lanius), Guelph, Ont.; Canadian Forces, Health Services (Jetly), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Jean Théberge
- From the Department of Neuroscience (Terpou, Neufeld), the Department of Psychiatry (Lloyd, Densmore, Théberge, Neufeld, Lanius), the Department of Medical Biophysics (Théberge), the Department of Psychology (Neufeld), Western University, London, Ont.; the Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute (Densmore, Lanius), the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour (Lloyd), the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences (McKinnon), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare (McKinnon), Hamilton, Ont.; Homewood Research Institute (McKinnon, Lanius), Guelph, Ont.; Canadian Forces, Health Services (Jetly), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Richard W J Neufeld
- From the Department of Neuroscience (Terpou, Neufeld), the Department of Psychiatry (Lloyd, Densmore, Théberge, Neufeld, Lanius), the Department of Medical Biophysics (Théberge), the Department of Psychology (Neufeld), Western University, London, Ont.; the Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute (Densmore, Lanius), the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour (Lloyd), the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences (McKinnon), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare (McKinnon), Hamilton, Ont.; Homewood Research Institute (McKinnon, Lanius), Guelph, Ont.; Canadian Forces, Health Services (Jetly), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Rakesh Jetly
- From the Department of Neuroscience (Terpou, Neufeld), the Department of Psychiatry (Lloyd, Densmore, Théberge, Neufeld, Lanius), the Department of Medical Biophysics (Théberge), the Department of Psychology (Neufeld), Western University, London, Ont.; the Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute (Densmore, Lanius), the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour (Lloyd), the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences (McKinnon), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare (McKinnon), Hamilton, Ont.; Homewood Research Institute (McKinnon, Lanius), Guelph, Ont.; Canadian Forces, Health Services (Jetly), Ottawa, Ont
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- From the Department of Neuroscience (Terpou, Neufeld), the Department of Psychiatry (Lloyd, Densmore, Théberge, Neufeld, Lanius), the Department of Medical Biophysics (Théberge), the Department of Psychology (Neufeld), Western University, London, Ont.; the Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute (Densmore, Lanius), the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour (Lloyd), the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences (McKinnon), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare (McKinnon), Hamilton, Ont.; Homewood Research Institute (McKinnon, Lanius), Guelph, Ont.; Canadian Forces, Health Services (Jetly), Ottawa, Ont.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Terpou BA, Shaw SB, Théberge J, Férat V, Michel CM, McKinnon MC, Lanius RA, Ros T. Spectral decomposition of EEG microstates in post-traumatic stress disorder. NeuroImage: Clinical 2022; 35:103135. [PMID: 36002969 PMCID: PMC9421541 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
EEG microstates reveal significant temporal differences in PTSD. Microstate E (with centro-posterior maximum) is temporally underrepresented in PTSD. In PTSD, microstate E has a reduced occurrence and a shorter mean duration. Spectral decomposition of EEG microstates improves microstate-based classification. Alpha band SVM features yield the highest classification accuracy of PTSD (76%).
Microstates offer a promising framework to study fast-scale brain dynamics in the resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG). However, microstate dynamics have yet to be investigated in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), despite research demonstrating resting-state alterations in PTSD. We performed microstate-based segmentation of resting-state EEG in a clinical population of participants with PTSD (N = 61) and a non-traumatized, healthy control group (N = 61). Microstate-based measures (i.e., occurrence, mean duration, time coverage) were compared group-wise using broadband (1–30 Hz) and frequency-specific (i.e., delta, theta, alpha, beta bands) decompositions. In the broadband comparisons, the centro-posterior maximum microstate (map E) occurred significantly less frequently (d = -0.64, pFWE = 0.03) and had a significantly shorter mean duration in participants with PTSD as compared to controls (d = -0.71, pFWE < 0.01). These differences were reflected in the narrow frequency bands as well, with lower frequency bands like delta (d = -0.78, pFWE < 0.01), theta (d = -0.74, pFWE = 0.01), and alpha (d = -0.65, pFWE = 0.02) repeating these group-level trends, only with larger effect sizes. Interestingly, a support vector machine classification analysis comparing broadband and frequency-specific measures revealed that models containing only alpha band features significantly out-perform broadband models. When classifying PTSD, the classification accuracy was 76 % and 65 % for the alpha band and the broadband model, respectively (p = 0.03). Taken together, we provide original evidence supporting the clinical utility of microstates as diagnostic markers of PTSD and demonstrate that filtering EEG into distinct frequency bands significantly improves microstate-based classification of a psychiatric disorder.
Collapse
|
22
|
Nicholson AA, Rabellino D, Densmore M, Frewen PA, Steryl D, Scharnowski F, Théberge J, Neufeld RWJ, Schmahl C, Jetly R, Lanius RA. Differential mechanisms of posterior cingulate cortex downregulation and symptom decreases in posttraumatic stress disorder and healthy individuals using real-time fMRI neurofeedback. Brain Behav 2022; 12:e2441. [PMID: 34921746 PMCID: PMC8785646 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intrinsic connectivity networks, including the default mode network (DMN), are frequently disrupted in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) is the main hub of the posterior DMN, where the therapeutic regulation of this region with real-time fMRI neurofeedback (NFB) has yet to be explored. METHODS We investigated PCC downregulation while processing trauma/stressful words over 3 NFB training runs and a transfer run without NFB (total n = 29, PTSD n = 14, healthy controls n = 15). We also examined the predictive accuracy of machine learning models in classifying PTSD versus healthy controls during NFB training. RESULTS Both the PTSD and healthy control groups demonstrated reduced reliving symptoms in response to trauma/stressful stimuli, where the PTSD group additionally showed reduced symptoms of distress. We found that both groups were able to downregulate the PCC with similar success over NFB training and in the transfer run, although downregulation was associated with unique within-group decreases in activation within the bilateral dmPFC, bilateral postcentral gyrus, right amygdala/hippocampus, cingulate cortex, and bilateral temporal pole/gyri. By contrast, downregulation was associated with increased activation in the right dlPFC among healthy controls as compared to PTSD. During PCC downregulation, right dlPFC activation was negatively correlated to PTSD symptom severity scores and difficulties in emotion regulation. Finally, machine learning algorithms were able to classify PTSD versus healthy participants based on brain activation during NFB training with 80% accuracy. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to investigate PCC downregulation with real-time fMRI NFB in both PTSD and healthy controls. Our results reveal acute decreases in symptoms over training and provide converging evidence for EEG-NFB targeting brain networks linked to the PCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Nicholson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Rabellino
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria Densmore
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul A Frewen
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Steryl
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Frank Scharnowski
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jean Théberge
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Joseph's Healthcare, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard W J Neufeld
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christian Schmahl
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rakesh Jetly
- Canadian Forces, Health Services, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Xue Y, Lopes J, Ritchie K, D'Alessandro AM, Banfield L, McCabe RE, Heber A, Lanius RA, McKinnon MC. Potential Circumstances Associated With Moral Injury and Moral Distress in Healthcare Workers and Public Safety Personnel Across the Globe During COVID-19: A Scoping Review. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:863232. [PMID: 35770054 PMCID: PMC9234401 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.863232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Healthcare workers (HCWs) and public safety personnel (PSP) across the globe have continued to face ethically and morally challenging situations during the COVID-19 pandemic that increase their risk for the development of moral distress (MD) and moral injury (MI). To date, however, the global circumstances that confer risk for MD and MI in these cohorts have not been systematically explored, nor have the unique circumstances that may exist across countries been explored. Here, we sought to identify and compare, across the globe, potentially morally injurious or distressful events (PMIDEs) in HCWs and PSP during the COVID-19 pandemic. A scoping review was conducted to identify and synthesize global knowledge on PMIDEs in HCWs and select PSP. Six databases were searched, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsychInfo, CINAHL, and Global Health. A total of 1,412 articles were retrieved, of which 57 articles were included in this review. These articles collectively described the experiences of samples from 19 different countries, which were comprised almost exclusively of HCWs. Given the lack of PSP data, the following results should not be generalized to PSP populations without further research. Using qualitative content analysis, six themes describing circumstances associated with PMIDEs were identified: (1) Risk of contracting or transmitting COVID-19; (2) Inability to work on the frontlines; (3) Provision of suboptimal care; (4) Care prioritization and resource allocation; (5) Perceived lack of support and unfair treatment by their organization; and (6) Stigma, discrimination, and abuse. HCWs described a range of emotions related to these PMIDEs, including anxiety, fear, guilt, shame, burnout, anger, and helplessness. Most PMIDE themes appeared to be shared globally, particularly the 'Risk of contracting or transmitting COVID-19' and the 'Perceived lack of support and unfair treatment by their organization.' Articles included within the theme of 'Stigma, discrimination, and abuse' represented the smallest global distribution of all PMIDE themes. Overall, the present review provides insight into PMIDEs encountered by HCWs across the globe during COVID-19. Further research is required to differentiate the experience of PSP from HCWs, and to explore the impact of social and cultural factors on the experience of MD and MI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanxin Xue
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Health Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Jillian Lopes
- Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour Graduate Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Kimberly Ritchie
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Laura Banfield
- Health Sciences Library, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Randi E McCabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Alexandra Heber
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Veterans Affairs Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University of Canada, London, ON, Canada.,Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada.,St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Roth SL, Andrews K, Protopopescu A, Lloyd C, O'Connor C, Losier BJ, Lanius RA, McKinnon MC. Mental health symptoms in Public Safety Personnel: Examining the effects of adverse childhood experiences and moral injury. Child Abuse Negl 2022; 123:105394. [PMID: 34808481 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) increase risk for negative mental health outcomes in adulthood; however, the mechanisms through which ACEs exert their influence on adult mental health are poorly understood. This is particularly true for Public Safety Personnel (PSP; e.g., police, firefighters, paramedics, etc.), a group with unique vulnerability to negative psychiatric sequalae given their chronic exposure to potentially traumatic, work-related events. OBJECTIVES To examine the role of moral injury (MI) and emotion regulation in the relation between ACEs and adult mental health symptoms in adulthood. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Participants (N = 294) included a community sample of Canadian and American PSP members aged 22 to 65. METHODS The current study uses cross-sectional data collection via retrospective self-report questionnaires administered between November, 2018 and November, 2019 to assess level of ACEs (ACE-Q), emotion regulation difficulties (DERS) and symptoms of post-traumatic stress (PCL-5), dissociation (MDI), depression, stress, and anxiety (DASS-21). Additionally, participants completed the Moral Injury Assessment for Public Safety Personnel, the first measure of MI developed specifically for PSP. RESULTS Path analysis revealed that ACEs significantly predicted adverse mental health symptoms in adulthood; this effect was mediated by symptoms of MI and moderated by difficulties with emotion regulation. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to identify MI as a mechanism involved in the relation between ACEs and adult psychopathology and highlights the protective role of emotion regulation skills. These findings can inform the development of future research and clinical interventions in PSP populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophia L Roth
- Departments of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada.
| | - Krysta Andrews
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada; Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Alina Protopopescu
- Departments of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Chantelle Lloyd
- Departments of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Charlene O'Connor
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada; Program for Traumatic Stress Recovery, Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Bruno J Losier
- Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Forensic Psychiatry Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Departments of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Departments of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada; Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Nicholson AA, Siegel M, Wolf J, Narikuzhy S, Roth SL, Hatchard T, Lanius RA, Schneider M, Lloyd CS, McKinnon MC, Heber A, Smith P, Lueger-Schuster B. A systematic review of the neural correlates of sexual minority stress: towards an intersectional minority mosaic framework with implications for a future research agenda. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2022; 13:2002572. [PMID: 35251527 PMCID: PMC8890555 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2021.2002572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic oppression, particularly towards sexual minorities, continues to be deeply rooted in the bedrock of many societies globally. Experiences with minority stressors (e.g. discrimination, hate-crimes, internalized homonegativity, rejection sensitivity, and microaggressions or everyday indignities) have been consistently linked to adverse mental health outcomes. Elucidating the neural adaptations associated with minority stress exposure will be critical for furthering our understanding of how sexual minorities become disproportionately affected by mental health burdens. UNLABELLED Following PRISMA-guidelines, we systematically reviewed published neuroimaging studies that compared neural dynamics among sexual minority and heterosexual populations, aggregating information pertaining to any measurement of minority stress and relevant clinical phenomena. RESULTS Only 1 of 13 studies eligible for inclusion examined minority stress directly, where all other studies focused on investigating the neurobiological basis of sexual orientation. In our narrative synthesis, we highlight important themes that suggest minority stress exposure may be associated with decreased activation and functional connectivity within the default-mode network (related to the sense-of-self and social cognition), and summarize preliminary evidence related to aberrant neural dynamics within the salience network (involved in threat detection and fear processing) and the central executive network (involved in executive functioning and emotion regulation). Importantly, this parallels neural adaptations commonly observed among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the aftermath of trauma and supports the inclusion of insidious forms of trauma related to minority stress within models of PTSD. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, minority stress may have several shared neuropsychological pathways with PTSD and stress-related disorders. Here, we outline a detailed research agenda that provides an overview of literature linking sexual minority stress to PTSD and insidious trauma, moral affect (including shame and guilt), and mental health risk/resiliency, in addition to racial, ethnic, and gender related minority stress. Finally, we propose a novel minority mosaic framework designed to inform future directions of minority stress neuroimaging research from an intersectional lens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Nicholson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.,Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Canada
| | - Magdalena Siegel
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jakub Wolf
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandhya Narikuzhy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Sophia L Roth
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Taylor Hatchard
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Maiko Schneider
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | | | - Margaret C McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Canada
| | | | - Patrick Smith
- The Centre of Excellence for PTSD, Royal Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Olivé I, Makris N, Densmore M, McKinnon MC, Lanius RA. Altered basal forebrain BOLD signal variability at rest in posttraumatic stress disorder: A potential candidate vulnerability mechanism for neurodegeneration in PTSD. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:3561-3575. [PMID: 33960558 PMCID: PMC8249881 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at increased risk for the development of various forms of dementia. Nevertheless, the neuropathological link between PTSD and neurodegeneration remains unclear. Degeneration of the human basal forebrain constitutes a pathological hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. In this seed-based resting-state (rs-)fMRI study identifying as outcome measure the temporal BOLD signal fluctuation magnitude, a seed-to-voxel analyses assessed temporal correlations between the average BOLD signal within a bilateral whole basal forebrain region-of-interest and each whole-brain voxel among individuals with PTSD (n = 65), its dissociative subtype (PTSD+DS) (n = 38) and healthy controls (n = 46). We found that compared both with the PTSD and healthy controls groups, the PTSD+DS group exhibited increased BOLD signal variability within two nuclei of the seed region, specifically in its extended amygdaloid region: the nucleus accumbens and the sublenticular extended amygdala. This finding is provocative, because it mimics staging models of neurodegenerative diseases reporting allocation of neuropathology in early disease stages circumscribed to the basal forebrain. Here, underlying candidate etiopathogenetic mechanisms are neurovascular uncoupling, decreased connectivity in local- and large-scale neural networks, or disrupted mesolimbic dopaminergic circuitry, acting indirectly upon the basal forebrain cholinergic pathways. These abnormalities may underpin reward-related deficits representing a putative link between persistent traumatic memory in PTSD and anterograde memory deficits in neurodegeneration. Observed alterations of the basal forebrain in the dissociative subtype of PTSD point towards the urgent need for further exploration of this region as a potential candidate vulnerability mechanism for neurodegeneration in PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isadora Olivé
- Faculty of Brain Sciences, Division of PsychiatryUniversity College of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Nikos Makris
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology Services, Center for Neural Systems InvestigationCenter for Morphometric Analysis, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Psychiatry Neuroimaging LaboratoryBrigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Anatomy & NeurobiologyBoston University School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Maria Densmore
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Imaging DivisionLawson Health Research InstituteLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Margaret C. McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural NeurosciencesMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
- Homewood Research InstituteGuelphOntarioCanada
- Mood Disorders ProgramSt Joseph's HealthcareHamiltonOntarioCanada
| | - Ruth A. Lanius
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Imaging DivisionLawson Health Research InstituteLondonOntarioCanada
- Department of NeurosciencesUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Dennis EL, Disner SG, Fani N, Salminen LE, Logue M, Clarke EK, Haswell CC, Averill CL, Baugh LA, Bomyea J, Bruce SE, Cha J, Choi K, Davenport ND, Densmore M, du Plessis S, Forster GL, Frijling JL, Gonenc A, Gruber S, Grupe DW, Guenette JP, Hayes J, Hofmann D, Ipser J, Jovanovic T, Kelly S, Kennis M, Kinzel P, Koch SBJ, Koerte I, Koopowitz S, Korgaonkar M, Krystal J, Lebois LAM, Li G, Magnotta VA, Manthey A, May GJ, Menefee DS, Nawijn L, Nelson SM, Neufeld RWJ, Nitschke JB, O'Doherty D, Peverill M, Ressler KJ, Roos A, Sheridan MA, Sierk A, Simmons A, Simons RM, Simons JS, Stevens J, Suarez-Jimenez B, Sullivan DR, Théberge J, Tran JK, van den Heuvel L, van der Werff SJA, van Rooij SJH, van Zuiden M, Velez C, Verfaellie M, Vermeiren RRJM, Wade BSC, Wager T, Walter H, Winternitz S, Wolff J, York G, Zhu Y, Zhu X, Abdallah CG, Bryant R, Daniels JK, Davidson RJ, Fercho KA, Franz C, Geuze E, Gordon EM, Kaufman ML, Kremen WS, Lagopoulos J, Lanius RA, Lyons MJ, McCauley SR, McGlinchey R, McLaughlin KA, Milberg W, Neria Y, Olff M, Seedat S, Shenton M, Sponheim SR, Stein DJ, Stein MB, Straube T, Tate DF, van der Wee NJA, Veltman DJ, Wang L, Wilde EA, Thompson PM, Kochunov P, Jahanshad N, Morey RA. Altered white matter microstructural organization in posttraumatic stress disorder across 3047 adults: results from the PGC-ENIGMA PTSD consortium. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:4315-4330. [PMID: 31857689 PMCID: PMC7302988 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0631-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
A growing number of studies have examined alterations in white matter organization in people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using diffusion MRI (dMRI), but the results have been mixed which may be partially due to relatively small sample sizes among studies. Altered structural connectivity may be both a neurobiological vulnerability for, and a result of, PTSD. In an effort to find reliable effects, we present a multi-cohort analysis of dMRI metrics across 3047 individuals from 28 cohorts currently participating in the PGC-ENIGMA PTSD working group (a joint partnership between the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium and the Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis consortium). Comparing regional white matter metrics across the full brain in 1426 individuals with PTSD and 1621 controls (2174 males/873 females) between ages 18-83, 92% of whom were trauma-exposed, we report associations between PTSD and disrupted white matter organization measured by lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in the tapetum region of the corpus callosum (Cohen's d = -0.11, p = 0.0055). The tapetum connects the left and right hippocampus, for which structure and function have been consistently implicated in PTSD. Results were consistent even after accounting for the effects of multiple potentially confounding variables: childhood trauma exposure, comorbid depression, history of traumatic brain injury, current alcohol abuse or dependence, and current use of psychotropic medications. Our results show that PTSD may be associated with alterations in the broader hippocampal network.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Dennis
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Imaging Genetics Center, Stevens Neuroimaging & Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Marina del Rey, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
- Stanford Neurodevelopment, Affect, and Psychopathology Laboratory, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Seth G Disner
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Negar Fani
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lauren E Salminen
- Imaging Genetics Center, Stevens Neuroimaging & Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Marina del Rey, CA, USA
| | - Mark Logue
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Biomedical Genetics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily K Clarke
- Brain Imaging and Analysis Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- VISN 6 MIRECC, Durham VA, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Courtney C Haswell
- Brain Imaging and Analysis Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- VISN 6 MIRECC, Durham VA, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Christopher L Averill
- Clinical Neuroscience Division, National Center for PTSD; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lee A Baugh
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, USA
- Center for Brain and Behavior Research, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, USA
- Sioux Falls VA Health Care System, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Jessica Bomyea
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Steven E Bruce
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Center for Trauma Recovery University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jiook Cha
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kyle Choi
- Health Services Research Center, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas D Davenport
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Maria Densmore
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Stefan du Plessis
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Gina L Forster
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, USA
- Center for Brain and Behavior Research, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, USA
- Brain Health Research Centre, Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Jessie L Frijling
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Atilla Gonenc
- Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Core, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Staci Gruber
- Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Core, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel W Grupe
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jeffrey P Guenette
- Division of Neuroradiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jasmeet Hayes
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - David Hofmann
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jonathan Ipser
- SA Medical Research Council Unit on Risk & Resilience in Mental Disorders, Dept of Psychiatry & Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Sinead Kelly
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mitzy Kennis
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Psychiatry, UMCU, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Brain Research and Innovation Centre, Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Philipp Kinzel
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Saskia B J Koch
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Inga Koerte
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Sheri Koopowitz
- SA Medical Research Council Unit on Risk & Resilience in Mental Disorders, Dept of Psychiatry & Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mayuresh Korgaonkar
- Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - John Krystal
- Clinical Neuroscience Division, National Center for PTSD; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lauren A M Lebois
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Gen Li
- Laboratory for Traumatic Stress Studies, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Vincent A Magnotta
- Departments of Radiology, Psychiatry, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | | | - Geoff J May
- VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, Waco, TX, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
- Center for Vital Longevity, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Deleene S Menefee
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- South Central MIRECC, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Laura Nawijn
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location VU University Medical Center, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Steven M Nelson
- VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, Waco, TX, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
- Center for Vital Longevity, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Richard W J Neufeld
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, BC, Canada
| | - Jack B Nitschke
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Matthew Peverill
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Annerine Roos
- South African Medical Research Council / Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Margaret A Sheridan
- Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Anika Sierk
- University Medical Centre Charite, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alan Simmons
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Raluca M Simons
- Center for Brain and Behavior Research, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Simons
- Sioux Falls VA Health Care System, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, USA
| | - Jennifer Stevens
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Benjamin Suarez-Jimenez
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Danielle R Sullivan
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jean Théberge
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Steven J A van der Werff
- Department of Psychiatry, LUMC, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne J H van Rooij
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mirjam van Zuiden
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carmen Velez
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health and University of Missouri, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Mieke Verfaellie
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Memory Disorders Research Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Benjamin S C Wade
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health and University of Missouri, St Louis, MO, USA
- Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Sherry Winternitz
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Women's Mental Health, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan Wolff
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Gerald York
- Joint Trauma System, 3698 Chambers Pass, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA
- Alaska Radiology Associates, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - Ye Zhu
- Laboratory for Traumatic Stress Studies, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chadi G Abdallah
- Clinical Neuroscience Division, National Center for PTSD; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Richard Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Judith K Daniels
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Richard J Davidson
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kelene A Fercho
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, USA
- Center for Brain and Behavior Research, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, USA
- Sioux Falls VA Health Care System, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
- Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, US Federal Aviation Administration, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Carol Franz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Elbert Geuze
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Psychiatry, UMCU, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Brain Research and Innovation Centre, Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Evan M Gordon
- VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, Waco, TX, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
- Center for Vital Longevity, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Milissa L Kaufman
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Women's Mental Health, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - William S Kremen
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Behavior Genetics of Aging, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jim Lagopoulos
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Birtinya, QLD, Australia
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Michael J Lyons
- Dept. of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephen R McCauley
- Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- H. Ben Taub Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Regina McGlinchey
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Geriatric Research Educational and Clinical Center and Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - William Milberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Diemen, The Netherlands
| | - Yuval Neria
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Miranda Olff
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Diemen, The Netherlands
| | - Soraya Seedat
- South African Medical Research Council / Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Martha Shenton
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Brockton Division, Brockton, MA, USA
| | - Scott R Sponheim
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Dan J Stein
- SA Medical Research Council Unit on Risk & Resilience in Mental Disorders, Dept of Psychiatry & Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Murray B Stein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Thomas Straube
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Systems Neuroscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - David F Tate
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health and University of Missouri, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Nic J A van der Wee
- Department of Psychiatry, LUMC, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dick J Veltman
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location VU University Medical Center, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Li Wang
- Laboratory for Traumatic Stress Studies, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Elisabeth A Wilde
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- H. Ben Taub Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- George E. Whalen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Paul M Thompson
- Imaging Genetics Center, Stevens Neuroimaging & Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Marina del Rey, CA, USA
| | - Peter Kochunov
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Neda Jahanshad
- Imaging Genetics Center, Stevens Neuroimaging & Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Marina del Rey, CA, USA
| | - Rajendra A Morey
- Brain Imaging and Analysis Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- VISN 6 MIRECC, Durham VA, Durham, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Lloyd CS, Nicholson AA, Densmore M, Théberge J, Neufeld RWJ, Jetly R, McKinnon MC, Lanius RA. Shame on the brain: Neural correlates of moral injury event recall in posttraumatic stress disorder. Depress Anxiety 2021; 38:596-605. [PMID: 33369799 DOI: 10.1002/da.23128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Moral injury (MI) is consistently associated with adverse mental health outcomes, including the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicidality. METHODS We investigated neural activation patterns associated with MI event recall using functional magnetic resonance imaging in participants with military and public safety-related PTSD, relative to civilian MI-exposed controls. RESULTS MI recall in the PTSD as compared to control group was associated with increased neural activation among salience network nodes involved in viscerosensory processing and hyperarousal (right posterior insula, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex; dACC), regions involved in defensive responding (left postcentral gyrus), and areas responsible for top-down cognitive control of emotions (left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; dlPFC). Within the PTSD group, measures of state and trait shame correlated negatively with activity among default mode network regions associated with self-related processing and moral cognition (dorsomedial prefrontal cortex; dmPFC) and salience network regions associated with viscerosensory processing (left posterior insula), respectively. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that MI event processing is altered in military and public safety-related PTSD, relative to MI-exposed controls. Here, it appears probable that as individuals with PTSD recall their MI event, they experience a surge of blame-related processing of bodily sensations within salience network regions, including the right posterior insula and the dACC, which in turn, prompt regulatory strategies at the level of the left dlPFC aimed at increasing cognitive control and inhibiting emotional affect. These results are consistent with previous findings showing enhanced sensory processing and altered top-down control in PTSD samples during autobiographical memory recall.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chantelle S Lloyd
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Homewood Health, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew A Nicholson
- Homewood Research Institute, Homewood Health, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria Densmore
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jean Théberge
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard W J Neufeld
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rakesh Jetly
- Canadian Forces, Health Services, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Homewood Health, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Homewood Health, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Haugg A, Renz FM, Nicholson AA, Lor C, Götzendorfer SJ, Sladky R, Skouras S, McDonald A, Craddock C, Hellrung L, Kirschner M, Herdener M, Koush Y, Papoutsi M, Keynan J, Hendler T, Cohen Kadosh K, Zich C, Kohl SH, Hallschmid M, MacInnes J, Adcock RA, Dickerson KC, Chen NK, Young K, Bodurka J, Marxen M, Yao S, Becker B, Auer T, Schweizer R, Pamplona G, Lanius RA, Emmert K, Haller S, Van De Ville D, Kim DY, Lee JH, Marins T, Megumi F, Sorger B, Kamp T, Liew SL, Veit R, Spetter M, Weiskopf N, Scharnowski F, Steyrl D. Predictors of real-time fMRI neurofeedback performance and improvement - A machine learning mega-analysis. Neuroimage 2021; 237:118207. [PMID: 34048901 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Real-time fMRI neurofeedback is an increasingly popular neuroimaging technique that allows an individual to gain control over his/her own brain signals, which can lead to improvements in behavior in healthy participants as well as to improvements of clinical symptoms in patient populations. However, a considerably large ratio of participants undergoing neurofeedback training do not learn to control their own brain signals and, consequently, do not benefit from neurofeedback interventions, which limits clinical efficacy of neurofeedback interventions. As neurofeedback success varies between studies and participants, it is important to identify factors that might influence neurofeedback success. Here, for the first time, we employed a big data machine learning approach to investigate the influence of 20 different design-specific (e.g. activity vs. connectivity feedback), region of interest-specific (e.g. cortical vs. subcortical) and subject-specific factors (e.g. age) on neurofeedback performance and improvement in 608 participants from 28 independent experiments. With a classification accuracy of 60% (considerably different from chance level), we identified two factors that significantly influenced neurofeedback performance: Both the inclusion of a pre-training no-feedback run before neurofeedback training and neurofeedback training of patients as compared to healthy participants were associated with better neurofeedback performance. The positive effect of pre-training no-feedback runs on neurofeedback performance might be due to the familiarization of participants with the neurofeedback setup and the mental imagery task before neurofeedback training runs. Better performance of patients as compared to healthy participants might be driven by higher motivation of patients, higher ranges for the regulation of dysfunctional brain signals, or a more extensive piloting of clinical experimental paradigms. Due to the large heterogeneity of our dataset, these findings likely generalize across neurofeedback studies, thus providing guidance for designing more efficient neurofeedback studies specifically for improving clinical neurofeedback-based interventions. To facilitate the development of data-driven recommendations for specific design details and subpopulations the field would benefit from stronger engagement in open science research practices and data sharing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amelie Haugg
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria.
| | - Fabian M Renz
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Cindy Lor
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Ronald Sladky
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Stavros Skouras
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Amalia McDonald
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, United States
| | - Cameron Craddock
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, United States
| | - Lydia Hellrung
- Zurich Center for Neuroeconomics, Department of Economics, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Kirschner
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland; McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montréal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Canada
| | - Marcus Herdener
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yury Koush
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, United States
| | - Marina Papoutsi
- UCL Huntington's Disease Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, United Kingdom; IXICO plc, United Kingdom
| | - Jackob Keynan
- Functional Brain Center, Wohl Institute for Advanced Imaging, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| | - Talma Hendler
- Functional Brain Center, Wohl Institute for Advanced Imaging, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| | | | - Catharina Zich
- Nuffiled Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Simon H Kohl
- JARA-Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging (INM-11), Jülich Research Centre, Germany
| | - Manfred Hallschmid
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Germany; Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Germany
| | - Jeff MacInnes
- Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences, University of Washington, United States
| | - R Alison Adcock
- Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Duke University, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, United States
| | - Kathryn C Dickerson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, United States
| | - Nan-Kuei Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, United States
| | - Kymberly Young
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Jerzy Bodurka
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, United States; Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, United States
| | - Michael Marxen
- Department of Psychiatry, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
| | - Shuxia Yao
- Clinical Hospital of the Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China
| | - Benjamin Becker
- Clinical Hospital of the Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China
| | - Tibor Auer
- School of Psychology, University of Surrey, United Kingdom
| | | | - Gustavo Pamplona
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne and Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Switzerland
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, Canada
| | - Kirsten Emmert
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Germany
| | - Sven Haller
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Radiology, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | - Dimitri Van De Ville
- Center for Neuroprosthetics, Ecole polytechnique féderale de Lausanne, Switzerland; Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dong-Youl Kim
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Korea University, Korea
| | - Jong-Hwan Lee
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Korea University, Korea
| | - Theo Marins
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education, Brazil
| | | | - Bettina Sorger
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
| | - Tabea Kamp
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ralf Veit
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Germany; Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Germany; High-Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Germany
| | - Maartje Spetter
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Nikolaus Weiskopf
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Germany; Felix Bloch Institute for Solid State Physics, Faculty of Physics and Earth Sciences, Leipzig University, Germany
| | - Frank Scharnowski
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - David Steyrl
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Harricharan S, McKinnon MC, Lanius RA. How Processing of Sensory Information From the Internal and External Worlds Shape the Perception and Engagement With the World in the Aftermath of Trauma: Implications for PTSD. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:625490. [PMID: 33935627 PMCID: PMC8085307 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.625490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is triggered by an individual experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, often precipitating persistent flashbacks and severe anxiety that are associated with a fearful and hypervigilant presentation. Approximately 14–30% of traumatized individuals present with the dissociative subtype of PTSD, which is often associated with repeated or childhood trauma. This presentation includes symptoms of depersonalization and derealization, where individuals may feel as if the world or self is “dream-like” and not real and/or describe “out-of-body” experiences. Here, we review putative neural alterations that may underlie how sensations are experienced among traumatized individuals with PTSD and its dissociative subtype, including those from the outside world (e.g., touch, auditory, and visual sensations) and the internal world of the body (e.g., visceral sensations, physical sensations associated with feeling states). We postulate that alterations in the neural pathways important for the processing of sensations originating in the outer and inner worlds may have cascading effects on the performance of higher-order cognitive functions, including emotion regulation, social cognition, and goal-oriented action, thereby shaping the perception of and engagement with the world. Finally, we introduce a theoretical neurobiological framework to account for altered sensory processing among traumatized individuals with and without the dissociative subtype of PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sherain Harricharan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.,The Brain and Mind Institute, London, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Lloyd CS, Stafford E, McKinnon MC, Rabellino D, D'Andrea W, Densmore M, Thome J, Neufeld RWJ, Lanius RA. Mapping alexithymia: Level of emotional awareness differentiates emotion-specific somatosensory maps. Child Abuse Negl 2021; 113:104919. [PMID: 33476805 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emotions have been associated with culturally universal and distinct bodily sensation "maps". Despite this knowledge, to date few studies have explored emotion-specific topography along clinically relevant dimensions, such as alexithymia. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate emotion-specific topographies among individuals exposed to childhood maltreatment or neglect with absent (n = 51) or with probable (n = 46) alexithymia in adulthood, as defined by scores on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Ninety eight adult participants with exposure to childhood maltreatment or neglect were recruited to complete an online survey. METHODS Using the well-validated emBODY tool (Nummenmaa et al., 2014), participants reported on their somatic experience of 17 emotions. RESULTS Random effects analyses revealed topographically distinct bodily sensation t-maps that differentiated participants who endorsed probable alexithymia from those who did not (p-FDR < .05). Consistent with our a priori hypothesis, the probable alexithymia group reported a muted, diffuse and undifferentiated pattern of emotion-specific bodily sensation, whereas the non-alexithymia group reported a more distinct and localized pattern. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that difficulty identifying and labeling emotions, as observed in alexithymia, may arise, in part, from an altered perception of somatic activation. It is well-established that childhood maltreatment predicts the development of alexithymia symptoms. The preliminary findings presented here expand our working understanding of the physical markers of childhood trauma, which may be used in practice to aid detection and to monitor treatment outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chantelle S Lloyd
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Homewood Health, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Erin Stafford
- The New School for Social Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Homewood Health, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniela Rabellino
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Imaging Department, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Maria Densmore
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Imaging Department, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Janine Thome
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Theoretical Neuroscience, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Richard W J Neufeld
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Imaging Department, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Homewood Health, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
D'Alessandro AM, Ritchie K, McCabe RE, Lanius RA, Heber A, Smith P, Malain A, Schielke H, O'Connor C, Hosseiny F, Rodrigues S, McKinnon MC. Healthcare Workers and COVID-19-Related Moral Injury: An Interpersonally-Focused Approach Informed by PTSD. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:784523. [PMID: 35264983 PMCID: PMC8900218 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.784523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a still-unfolding series of novel, potentially traumatic moral and ethical challenges that place many healthcare workers at risk of developing moral injury. Moral injury is a type of psychological response that may arise when one transgresses or witnesses another transgress deeply held moral values, or when one feels that an individual or institution that has a duty to provide care has failed to do so. Despite knowledge of this widespread exposure, to date, empirical data are scarce as to how to prevent and, where necessary, treat COVID-19-related moral injury in healthcare workers. Given the relation between moral injury and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we point here to social and interpersonal factors as critical moderators of PTSD symptomology and consider how this knowledge may translate to interventions for COVID-19-related moral injury. Specifically, we first review alterations in social cognitive functioning observed among individuals with PTSD that may give rise to interpersonal difficulties. Drawing on Nietlisbach and Maercker's 2009 work on interpersonal factors relevant to survivors of trauma with PTSD, we then review the role of perceived social support, social acknowledgment and social exclusion in relation to potential areas of targeted intervention for COVID-19-related moral injury in healthcare workers. Finally, building on existing literature (e.g., Phoenix Australia-Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health and the Canadian Centre of Excellence-PTSD, 2020) we conclude with individual and organizational considerations to bolster against the development of moral injury in healthcare workers during the pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kimberly Ritchie
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Randi E McCabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Western, London, ON, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Alexandra Heber
- Veterans Affairs Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Patrick Smith
- Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Ann Malain
- Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Fardous Hosseiny
- Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sara Rodrigues
- Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Mental Health and Addictions Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Park AH, Protopopescu A, Pogue ME, Boyd JE, O'Connor C, Lanius RA, McKinnon MC. Dissociative symptoms predict severe illness presentation in Canadian public safety personnel with presumptive post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Eur J Psychotraumatol 2021; 12:1953789. [PMID: 34512927 PMCID: PMC8425686 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1953789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-traumatic stress disorder affects 9% of individuals across their lifetime and increases nearly fourfold to 35% in Canadian public safety personnel (PSP). On-the-job experiences of PSP frequently meet criteria for traumatic events, making these individuals highly vulnerable to exposures of trauma and the negative consequences of PTSD. Few studies have reported on the clinical characteristics of Canadian samples of PSP and even fewer have examined the dissociative subtype of PTSD, which is associated with more severe, chronic traumatic experiences, and worse outcomes. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to characterize dissociative symptoms, PTSD symptom severity, and other clinical variables among Canadian PSP with presumptive PTSD. METHODS We sampled current and past PSP in Canada from both inpatient and outpatient populations (N = 50) that were enrolled in a psychological intervention. Only baseline testing data (prior to any intervention) were analysed in this study, such as PTSD symptom severity, dissociative symptoms, emotion dysregulation, and functional impairment. RESULTS In our sample, 24.4% self-reported elevated levels of dissociation, specifically symptoms of depersonalization and derealization. Depersonalization and derealization symptoms were associated with more severe PTSD symptoms, greater emotion dysregulation, and functional impairment. CONCLUSIONS Nearly a quarter of this sample of Canadian PSP reported experiencing elevated levels of PTSD-related dissociation (depersonalization and derealization). These high levels of depersonalization and derealization were consistently positively associated with greater illness severity across clinical measures. It is imperative that dissociative symptoms be better recognized in patient populations that are exposed to chronic traumatic events such as PSP, so that treatment interventions can be designed to target a more severe illness presentation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna H Park
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Canada
| | - Alina Protopopescu
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Canada.,Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Michelle E Pogue
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Canada
| | - Jenna E Boyd
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | | | - Ruth A Lanius
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Robarts Research Institute, RRI 3203, Western University, London, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Parkwood Institute, Mental Health Care Building, F4-430, Western University, London, Canada.,Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Canada.,Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Rabellino D, Frewen PA, McKinnon MC, Lanius RA. Peripersonal Space and Bodily Self-Consciousness: Implications for Psychological Trauma-Related Disorders. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:586605. [PMID: 33362457 PMCID: PMC7758430 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.586605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Peripersonal space (PPS) is defined as the space surrounding the body where we can reach or be reached by external entities, including objects or other individuals. PPS is an essential component of bodily self-consciousness that allows us to perform actions in the world (e.g., grasping and manipulating objects) and protect our body while interacting with the surrounding environment. Multisensory processing plays a critical role in PPS representation, facilitating not only to situate ourselves in space but also assisting in the localization of external entities at a close distance from our bodies. Such abilities appear especially crucial when an external entity (a sound, an object, or a person) is approaching us, thereby allowing the assessment of the salience of a potential incoming threat. Accordingly, PPS represents a key aspect of social cognitive processes operational when we interact with other people (for example, in a dynamic dyad). The underpinnings of PPS have been investigated largely in human models and in animals and include the operation of dedicated multimodal neurons (neurons that respond specifically to co-occurring stimuli from different perceptive modalities, e.g., auditory and tactile stimuli) within brain regions involved in sensorimotor processing (ventral intraparietal sulcus, ventral premotor cortex), interoception (insula), and visual recognition (lateral occipital cortex). Although the defensive role of the PPS has been observed in psychopathology (e.g., in phobias) the relation between PPS and altered states of bodily consciousness remains largely unexplored. Specifically, PPS representation in trauma-related disorders, where altered states of consciousness can involve dissociation from the body and its surroundings, have not been investigated. Accordingly, we review here: (1) the behavioral and neurobiological literature surrounding trauma-related disorders and its relevance to PPS; and (2) outline future research directions aimed at examining altered states of bodily self-consciousness in trauma related-disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Rabellino
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Paul A Frewen
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Nicholson AA, Ros T, Densmore M, Frewen PA, Neufeld RWJ, Théberge J, Jetly R, Lanius RA. A randomized, controlled trial of alpha-rhythm EEG neurofeedback in posttraumatic stress disorder: A preliminary investigation showing evidence of decreased PTSD symptoms and restored default mode and salience network connectivity using fMRI. Neuroimage Clin 2020; 28:102490. [PMID: 33395981 PMCID: PMC7708928 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The default-mode network (DMN) and salience network (SN) have been shown to display altered connectivity in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Restoring aberrant connectivity within these networks with electroencephalogram neurofeedback (EEG-NFB) has been shown previously to be associated with acute decreases in symptoms. Here, we conducted a double-blind, sham-controlled randomized trial of alpha-rhythm EEG-NFB in participants with PTSD (n = 36) over 20-weeks. Our aim was to provide mechanistic evidence underlying clinical improvements by examining changes in network connectivity via fMRI. METHODS We randomly assigned participants with a primary diagnosis of PTSD to either the experimental group (n = 18) or sham-control group (n = 18). We collected resting-state fMRI scans pre- and post-NFB intervention, for both the experimental and sham-control PTSD groups. We further compared baseline brain connectivity measures pre-NFB to age-matched healthy controls (n = 36). RESULTS With regard to the primary outcome measure of PTSD severity, we found a significant main effect of time in the absence of a group × time interaction. Nevertheless, we found significantly decreased PTSD severity scores in the experimental NFB group only, when comparing post-NFB (dz = 0.71) and 3-month follow-up scores (dz = 0.77) to baseline measures. Interestingly, we found evidence to suggest a shift towards normalization of DMN and SN connectivity post-NFB in the experimental group only. Both decreases in PTSD severity and NFB performance were correlated to DMN and SN connectivity post-NFB in the experimental group. Critically, remission rates of PTSD were significant higher in the experimental group (61.1%) as compared to the sham-control group (33.3%). CONCLUSION The current study shows mechanistic evidence for therapeutic changes in DMN and SN connectivity that are known to be associated with PTSD psychopathology with no patient dropouts. This preliminary investigation merits further research to demonstrate fully the clinical efficacy of EEG-NFB as an adjunctive therapy for PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Nicholson
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Tomas Ros
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maria Densmore
- Departments of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Paul A Frewen
- Departments of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Departments of Psychology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Richard W J Neufeld
- Departments of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Departments of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Departments of Psychology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jean Théberge
- Departments of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Departments of Psychology, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Departments of Medical Imaging, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Joseph's Healthcare, London, ON, Canada
| | - Rakesh Jetly
- Canadian Forces, Health Services, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Departments of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Departments of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Abstract
Trauma can profoundly affect the sense of self, where both cognitive and somatic disturbances to the sense of self are reported clinically by individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These disturbances are captured eloquently by clinical accounts, such as, 'I do not know myself anymore,' 'I will never be able to experience normal emotions again,' and, 'I feel dead inside.' Self-related thoughts and experiences are represented neurobiologically by a large-scale, cortical network located along the brain's mid-line and referred to as the default mode network (DMN). Recruited predominantly during rest in healthy participants, the DMN is also active during self-referential and autobiographical memory processing - processes which, collectively, are thought to provide the foundation for a stable sense of self that persists across time and may be available for conscious access. In participants with PTSD, however, the DMN shows substantially reduced resting-state functional connectivity as compared to healthy individuals, with greater reductions associated with heightened PTSD symptom severity. Critically, individuals with PTSD describe frequently that their traumatic experiences have become intimately linked to their perceived sense of self, a perception which may be mediated, in part, by alterations in the DMN. Accordingly, identification of alterations in the functional connectivity of the DMN during rest, and during subliminal, trauma-related stimulus conditions, has the potential to offer critical insight into the dynamic interplay between trauma- and self-related processing in PTSD. Here, we discuss DMN-related alterations during these conditions, pointing further towards the clinical significance of these findings in relation to past- and present-centred therapies for the treatment of PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Braeden A Terpou
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Terpou BA, Densmore M, Théberge J, Frewen P, McKinnon MC, Nicholson AA, Lanius RA. The hijacked self: Disrupted functional connectivity between the periaqueductal gray and the default mode network in posttraumatic stress disorder using dynamic causal modeling. Neuroimage Clin 2020; 27:102345. [PMID: 32738751 PMCID: PMC7394966 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) shows altered effective connectivity dynamics. Modeling between the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and the default mode network (DMN). In PTSD, stronger excitatory effective connectivity from the PAG towards the DMN. Trauma-related/neutral stimulus modulations to effective connectivity are compared. In PTSD, trauma-related stimulus modulations differ significantly to the controls.
Self-related processes define assorted self-relevant or social-cognitive functions that allow us to gather insight and to draw inferences related to our own mental conditions. Self-related processes are mediated by the default mode network (DMN), which, critically, shows altered functionality in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In PTSD, the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) demonstrates stronger functional connectivity with the DMN [i.e., precuneus (PCN), medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)] as compared to healthy individuals during subliminal, trauma-related stimulus processing. Here, we analyzed the directed functional connectivity between the PAG and the PCN, as well as between the PAG and the mPFC to more explicitly characterize the functional connectivity we have observed previously on the corresponding sample and paradigm. We evaluated three models varying with regard to context-dependent modulatory directions (i.e., bi-directional, bottom-up, top-down) among individuals with PTSD (n = 26) and healthy participants (n = 20), where Bayesian model selection was used to identify the most optimal model for each group. We then compared the effective connectivity strength for each parameter across the models and between our groups using Bayesian model averaging. Bi-directional models were found to be favoured across both groups. In PTSD, we revealed the PAG to show stronger excitatory effective connectivity to the PCN, as well as to the mPFC as compared to controls. In PTSD, we further demonstrated that PAG-mediated effective connectivity to the PCN, as well as to the mPFC were modulated more strongly during subliminal, trauma-related stimulus conditions as compared to controls. Clinical disturbances towards self-related processes are reported widely by participants with PTSD during trauma-related stimulus processing, where altered functional connectivity directed by the PAG to the DMN may elucidate experiential links between self- and trauma-related processing in traumatized individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Braeden A Terpou
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
| | - Maria Densmore
- Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
| | - Jean Théberge
- Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Medical Imaging, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Joseph's Healthcare, London, ON, Canada.
| | - Paul Frewen
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Psychology, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada.
| | - Andrew A Nicholson
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Wien, Austria.
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Protopopescu A, Boyd JE, O’Connor C, Rhind S, Jetly R, Lanius RA, McKinnon MC. Moral injury in Canadian military members and Veterans: Implications for military and healthcare sector response during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health 2020. [DOI: 10.3138/jmvfh-co19-008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alina Protopopescu
- Departments of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON
- St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON
| | - Jenna E. Boyd
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON
- St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON
| | - Charlene O’Connor
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON
- Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, ON
| | - Shawn Rhind
- Defence Research and Development Canada, Toronto, ON
| | - Rakesh Jetly
- Department of National Defence, Government of Canada, Ottawa, ON
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
| | - Ruth A. Lanius
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON
- Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON,
- Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON
| | - Margaret C. McKinnon
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON
- St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Frewen P, Mistry D, Zhu J, Kielt T, Wekerle C, Lanius RA, Jetly R. Proof of Concept of an Eclectic, Integrative Therapeutic Approach to Mental Health and Well-Being Through Virtual Reality Technology. Front Psychol 2020; 11:858. [PMID: 32581898 PMCID: PMC7290015 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Across three studies, we provide a proof-of-concept evaluation of an integrative psychotherapeutic application of virtual reality (VR) technology. Study 1 (n = 36) evaluated an unguided “safe-place” imagery task, where participants were instructed “to create a safe space… [such as] a scene, item, design, or any visual representation that makes you feel safe” using either the Google Tilt Brush application (VR condition), the standard Microsoft Paint application (2-D condition), or via eyes-closed mental imagery alone (IMG condition). Study 2 (n = 48) evaluated a narrative episodic recall task, where participants viewed their childhood and adult homes and places of schooling either using either the Google Earth VR application (VR condition) or the standard Google Earth application (2-D condition) or recalled these places with their eyes closed via mental imagery alone (IMG condition). Finally, Study 3 (n = 48) evaluated a guided wilderness imagery task, during which different scripts were narrated, specifically, a trail walk in autumn, a spring meadow, and a hillside walk in snowy winter, while either these same scenes were visually presented using the Nature Treks VR application (VR condition), the scenes were presented using the same software but shown on standard computer monitor (2-D condition), or participants’ eyes were closed (IMG condition). Order of intervention format was randomized across participants. Across all three studies, quantitative survey ratings showed that the VR format of intervention delivery produced greater positive affect and satisfaction and perceived credibility ratings as an intervention for trauma- and stressor-related disorders and psychological well-being as rated by university students who varied in traumatic and stressful life event history and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, whereas qualitative findings revealed additional themes of experiential response including increased experience of presence and vividness in the VR condition. Future research directions and clinical applications are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul Frewen
- University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Divya Mistry
- University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jenney Zhu
- University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Talia Kielt
- University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Rakesh Jetly
- Canadian Armed Forces, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Ros T, Enriquez-Geppert S, Zotev V, Young KD, Wood G, Whitfield-Gabrieli S, Wan F, Vuilleumier P, Vialatte F, Van De Ville D, Todder D, Surmeli T, Sulzer JS, Strehl U, Sterman MB, Steiner NJ, Sorger B, Soekadar SR, Sitaram R, Sherlin LH, Schönenberg M, Scharnowski F, Schabus M, Rubia K, Rosa A, Reiner M, Pineda JA, Paret C, Ossadtchi A, Nicholson AA, Nan W, Minguez J, Micoulaud-Franchi JA, Mehler DMA, Lührs M, Lubar J, Lotte F, Linden DEJ, Lewis-Peacock JA, Lebedev MA, Lanius RA, Kübler A, Kranczioch C, Koush Y, Konicar L, Kohl SH, Kober SE, Klados MA, Jeunet C, Janssen TWP, Huster RJ, Hoedlmoser K, Hirshberg LM, Heunis S, Hendler T, Hampson M, Guggisberg AG, Guggenberger R, Gruzelier JH, Göbel RW, Gninenko N, Gharabaghi A, Frewen P, Fovet T, Fernández T, Escolano C, Ehlis AC, Drechsler R, Christopher deCharms R, Debener S, De Ridder D, Davelaar EJ, Congedo M, Cavazza M, Breteler MHM, Brandeis D, Bodurka J, Birbaumer N, Bazanova OM, Barth B, Bamidis PD, Auer T, Arns M, Thibault RT. Consensus on the reporting and experimental design of clinical and cognitive-behavioural neurofeedback studies (CRED-nf checklist). Brain 2020; 143:1674-1685. [PMID: 32176800 PMCID: PMC7296848 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurofeedback has begun to attract the attention and scrutiny of the scientific and medical mainstream. Here, neurofeedback researchers present a consensus-derived checklist that aims to improve the reporting and experimental design standards in the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Ros
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, University of Geneva; Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie Enriquez-Geppert
- Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Vadim Zotev
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Kymberly D Young
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Guilherme Wood
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Susan Whitfield-Gabrieli
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Feng Wan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | | | | | - Dimitri Van De Ville
- Institute of Bioengineering, Center for Neuroprosthetics, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL); Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Doron Todder
- Faculty of Health, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Beer-Sheva Mental Health Center, Israel Ministry of Health, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Tanju Surmeli
- Living Health Center for Research and Education, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - James S Sulzer
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Ute Strehl
- Institute for Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Maurice Barry Sterman
- Neurobiology and Biobehavioral Psychiatry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Naomi J Steiner
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bettina Sorger
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Surjo R Soekadar
- Clinical Neurotechnology Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Center (NWFZ), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (CCM), Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ranganatha Sitaram
- Institute of Biological and Medical Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Macul, Santiago, Chile
| | | | | | - Frank Scharnowski
- Department of Basic Psychological Research and Research Methods, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Schabus
- University of Salzburg, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience and Department of Psychology, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Katya Rubia
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | | | - Miriam Reiner
- Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Jaime A Pineda
- Cognitive Science Department, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Christian Paret
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Alexei Ossadtchi
- National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrew A Nicholson
- Department of Basic Psychological Research and Research Methods, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Wenya Nan
- Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | | | | | - David M A Mehler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Michael Lührs
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Joel Lubar
- Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - Fabien Lotte
- Inria Bordeaux Sud-Ouest/LaBRI University of Bordeaux - CNRS-Bordeaux INP, Bordeaux, France
| | - David E J Linden
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Mikhail A Lebedev
- Center for Bioelectric Interfaces of the Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Information and Internet Technologies of Digital Health Institute; I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- Duke Center for Neuroengineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrea Kübler
- Department of Psychology I, Psychological Intervention, Behavior Analysis and Regulation of Behavior, University of Würzburg
| | - Cornelia Kranczioch
- Neuropsychology Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Oldenburg, Oldenberg, Germany
| | - Yury Koush
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center (MRRC), Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lilian Konicar
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon H Kohl
- JARA-Institute Molecular neuroscience and neuroimaging (INM-11), Jülich Research Centre, Jülich, Germany
| | | | - Manousos A Klados
- Department of Psychology, The University of Sheffield International Faculty, City College, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Camille Jeunet
- CLLE Lab, CNRS, Université Toulouse Jean Jaurès, Toulouse, France
| | - T W P Janssen
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Rene J Huster
- Multimodal imaging and Cognitive Control Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Olso, Norway
| | - Kerstin Hoedlmoser
- University of Salzburg, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience and Department of Psychology, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Stephan Heunis
- Electrical Engineering Department, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands
| | - Talma Hendler
- Sagol Brain Institute, Wohl Institute for Advanced Imaging, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michelle Hampson
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Adrian G Guggisberg
- Division of Neurorehabilitation, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University Hospital Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Robert Guggenberger
- Division of Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - John H Gruzelier
- Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, London, UK
| | - Rainer W Göbel
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Nicolas Gninenko
- Institute of Bioengineering, Center for Neuroprosthetics, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL); Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alireza Gharabaghi
- Division of Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Paul Frewen
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thomas Fovet
- Univ. Lille, INSERM U1172, CHU LILLE, Centre Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, Pôle de Psychiatrie, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Thalía Fernández
- UNAM Institute of Neurobiology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Juriquilla, Mexico
| | | | - Ann-Christine Ehlis
- Psychophysiology and Optical Imaging, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Renate Drechsler
- Department of Child and Adolescent, Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Stefan Debener
- Neuropsychology Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Oldenburg, Oldenberg, Germany
| | - Dirk De Ridder
- Department of Surgery, Section of Neurosurgery, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Eddy J Davelaar
- Department of Psychological Sciences Birkbeck, University of London, Bloomsbury, London, UK
| | - Marco Congedo
- GIPSA-lab, CNRS, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble-INP, Grenoble, France
| | - Marc Cavazza
- School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, UK
| | - Marinus H M Breteler
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Department of Clinical Psychology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel Brandeis
- Department of Child and Adolescent, Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jerzy Bodurka
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Niels Birbaumer
- Institute for Medical Psychology and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Olga M Bazanova
- State Research Institute of Physiology and Basic Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Beatrix Barth
- Psychophysiology and Optical Imaging, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Tibor Auer
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Martijn Arns
- Brainclinics Foundation, Research Institute Brainclinics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Robert T Thibault
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Nicholson AA, Harricharan S, Densmore M, Neufeld RWJ, Ros T, McKinnon MC, Frewen PA, Théberge J, Jetly R, Pedlar D, Lanius RA. Classifying heterogeneous presentations of PTSD via the default mode, central executive, and salience networks with machine learning. Neuroimage Clin 2020; 27:102262. [PMID: 32446241 PMCID: PMC7240193 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs), including the default mode network (DMN), the central executive network (CEN), and the salience network (SN) have been shown to be aberrant in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The purpose of the current study was to a) compare ICN functional connectivity between PTSD, dissociative subtype PTSD (PTSD+DS) and healthy individuals; and b) to examine the use of multivariate machine learning algorithms in classifying PTSD, PTSD+DS, and healthy individuals based on ICN functional activation. Our neuroimaging dataset consisted of resting-state fMRI scans from 186 participants [PTSD (n = 81); PTSD + DS (n = 49); and healthy controls (n = 56)]. We performed group-level independent component analyses to evaluate functional connectivity differences within each ICN. Multiclass Gaussian Process Classification algorithms within PRoNTo software were then used to predict the diagnosis of PTSD, PTSD+DS, and healthy individuals based on ICN functional activation. When comparing the functional connectivity of ICNs between PTSD, PTSD+DS and healthy controls, we found differential patterns of connectivity to brain regions involved in emotion regulation, in addition to limbic structures and areas involved in self-referential processing, interoception, bodily self-consciousness, and depersonalization/derealization. Machine learning algorithms were able to predict with high accuracy the classification of PTSD, PTSD+DS, and healthy individuals based on ICN functional activation. Our results suggest that alterations within intrinsic connectivity networks may underlie unique psychopathology and symptom presentation among PTSD subtypes. Furthermore, the current findings substantiate the use of machine learning algorithms for classifying subtypes of PTSD illness based on ICNs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Nicholson
- Department of Cognition, Emotion and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| | - Sherain Harricharan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Maria Densmore
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Richard W J Neufeld
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Psychology, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Medical Imaging, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Tomas Ros
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Paul A Frewen
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jean Théberge
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Medical Imaging, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada
| | - Rakesh Jetly
- Canadian Forces, Health Services, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Pedlar
- Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR), Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Thome J, Terpou BA, McKinnon MC, Lanius RA. The neural correlates of trauma-related autobiographical memory in posttraumatic stress disorder: A meta-analysis. Depress Anxiety 2020; 37:321-345. [PMID: 31815346 DOI: 10.1002/da.22977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autobiographical memory (AM) refers to memories of events that are personally relevant and are remembered from one's own past. The AM network is a distributed brain network comprised largely by prefrontal medial and posteromedial cortical brain regions, which together facilitate AM. Autobiographical memories with high arousal and negatively valenced emotional states are thought to be retrieved more readily and re-experienced more vividly. This is critical in the case of trauma-related AMs, which are related to altered phenomenological experiences as well as aberrations to the underlying neural systems in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Critically, these alterations to the AM network have not been explored recently and have never been analyzed with consideration to the different processes of AM, them being retrieval and re-experiencing. METHODS We conducted a series of effect-size signed differential mapping meta-analyses across twenty-eight studies investigating the neural correlates of trauma-related AMs in participants with PTSD as compared with controls. Studies included either trauma-related scripts or trauma-related materials (i.e., sounds, images, pictures) implemented to evoke the recollection of a trauma-related memory. RESULTS The meta-analyses revealed that control and PTSD participants displayed greater common brain activation of prefrontal medial and posteromedial cortices, respectively. Whereby the prefrontal medial cortices are suggested to facilitate retrieval monitoring, the posteromedial cortices are thought to enable the visual imagery processes of AM. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, reduced common activation of prefrontal cortices may be interpreted as a bias toward greater re-experiencing, where the more salient elements of the traumatic memory are relived as opposed to retrieved in a controlled manner in PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janine Thome
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Theoretical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Braeden A Terpou
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Langeland W, Jepsen EKK, Brand BL, Kleven L, Loewenstein RJ, Putnam FW, Schielke HJ, Myrick A, Lanius RA, Heir T. The economic burden of dissociative disorders: A qualitative systematic review of empirical studies. Psychol Trauma 2020; 12:730-738. [PMID: 32212775 DOI: 10.1037/tra0000556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dissociative disorders (DDs) are associated with intensive, long-term treatment, suicidality, recurrent hospitalizations, and high rates of disability. However, little is known about the specifics of the economic burden associated with DDs. This worldwide, systematic review examines the results of studies in adults on direct and indirect costs associated with DDs. METHOD We searched 6 databases and the reference lists of articles. We also approached researchers to identify unpublished studies. No language restrictions were imposed. RESULTS A total of 1,002 records met the search criteria, of which 29 papers were selected for full-text inspection. Ultimately, of these, we reviewed four empirical studies. We provide a narrative discussion of study findings. Our findings suggest that DDs are costly to society, and that there is a reduction in service utilization and associated costs over time with diagnosing of and specialized treatment for DDs. However, the overall quality of the economic evaluations was low; several types of DDs, comorbid conditions, and costs were not included; and men were underrepresented. Due to the heterogeneity among studies, we could not perform a meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS Due to the heterogeneity and low quality of the identified economic evaluations, no firm conclusions about the economic burden of DDs alone can be drawn. Higher quality research, including a detailed description of the study design, population, and primary outcome measures used, utilizing appropriate clinical alternatives and including major comorbidities, is urgently needed to more rigorously assess the economic impact of DDs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Collapse
|
44
|
Boyd JE, O'Connor C, Protopopescu A, Jetly R, Lanius RA, McKinnon MC. The contributions of emotion regulation difficulties and dissociative symptoms to functional impairment among civilian inpatients with posttraumatic stress symptoms. Psychol Trauma 2020; 12:739-749. [PMID: 32202846 DOI: 10.1037/tra0000576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional impairment among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) represents a significant factor in recovery. Critically, functional impairment appears to persist following remission of PTSD symptoms. To date, work investigating functional impairment among individuals with PTSD has focused on PTSD symptom clusters, excluding other relevant symptoms, including emotion regulation difficulties and dissociative symptoms. Emerging work suggests that these symptoms may serve as important predictors of functional impairment among individuals with PTSD. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS The present study investigated the contributions of difficulties with emotion regulation, dissociative symptoms, and individual PTSD symptom clusters to functional impairment among an inpatient civilian sample who completed self-report assessments of PTSD symptoms, functional impairment, emotion regulation difficulties, and dissociative symptoms, upon admission to the program. Participants met criteria for probable PTSD as per the PTSD checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) and reported high rates of exposure to childhood abuse and neglect. RESULTS Emotion regulation difficulties contributed significantly, while dissociative symptoms and PTSD arousal and reactivity symptoms showed a signal toward contributing significantly to a model accounting for variance in functional impairment among individuals with probable PTSD. Differential patterns of contributors emerged for the various domains of functional impairment measured. CONCLUSIONS These findings add to a growing body of literature highlighting the importance of emotion regulation difficulties, dissociative symptoms, and arousal and reactivity symptoms in contributing to functional impairment in this disorder. Recovery to premorbid functional status in PTSD may require interventions that target directly these symptoms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenna E Boyd
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University
| | | | - Alina Protopopescu
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Nicholson AA, Ros T, Jetly R, Lanius RA. Regulating posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms with neurofeedback: Regaining control of the mind. Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health 2020. [DOI: 10.3138/jmvfh.2019-0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Neurofeedback is emerging as a psychophysiological treatment where self-regulation is achieved through online feedback of neural states. Novel personalized medicine approaches are particularly important for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as symptom presentation of the disorder, as well as responses to treatment, are highly heterogeneous. Learning to achieve control of specific neural substrates through neurofeedback has been shown to display therapeutic evidence in patients with a wide variety of psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. This article outlines the neural mechanisms underlying neurofeedback and examines converging evidence for the efficacy of neurofeedback as an adjunctive treatment for PTSD via both electroencephalography (EEG) and real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) modalities. Further, implications for the treatment of PTSD via neurofeedback in the military member and Veteran population is examined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A. Nicholson
- Department of Psychological Research and Research Methods, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Neurology and Imaging of Cognition Lab, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Canadian Forces Health Services Group, Department of National Defence, Government of Canada, Ottawa
- Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario
| | - Tomas Ros
- Department of Psychological Research and Research Methods, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Neurology and Imaging of Cognition Lab, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Canadian Forces Health Services Group, Department of National Defence, Government of Canada, Ottawa
- Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario
| | - Rakesh Jetly
- Department of Psychological Research and Research Methods, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Neurology and Imaging of Cognition Lab, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Canadian Forces Health Services Group, Department of National Defence, Government of Canada, Ottawa
- Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario
| | - Ruth A. Lanius
- Department of Psychological Research and Research Methods, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Neurology and Imaging of Cognition Lab, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Canadian Forces Health Services Group, Department of National Defence, Government of Canada, Ottawa
- Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Nicholson AA, McKinnon MC, Jetly R, Lanius RA. Uncovering the heterogeneity of posttraumatic stress disorder: Towards a personalized medicine approach for military members and Veterans. Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health 2020. [DOI: 10.3138/jmvfh.2019-0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Recently, there has been substantial interest in exploring the heterogeneity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on a neurobiological level, as individuals with PTSD, including military members and Veterans, vary in their presentation of symptoms. Methods: Critically, a dissociative subtype of PTSD (PTSD+DS) has been defined, where a large body of evidence suggests that the unique presentation of symptoms among PTSD+DS patients is associated with aberrant neurobiological underpinnings. Results: PTSD+DS is often characterized by emotion overmodulation, with increased top-down activation from emotion regulation areas, which is associated with emotional detachment, depersonalization, and derealization. This is in stark contrast to the symptoms commonly observed in individuals with PTSD, who exhibit emotion undermodulation, which involves decreased top-down regulation of hyperactive emotion generation areas and is associated with vivid re-experiencing of trauma memories and hyperarousal. Discussion: This article examines a clinical case example that clearly illustrates this heterogeneous presentation of PTSD symptomatology and psychopathology. It discusses the implications this evidence base holds for a neurobiologically-informed, personalized medicine approach to treatment for military members and Veterans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A. Nicholson
- Department of Psychological Research and Research Methods, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario
- Canadian Forces Health Services Group, Department of National Defence, Government of Canada, Ottawa
| | - Margaret C. McKinnon
- Department of Psychological Research and Research Methods, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario
- Canadian Forces Health Services Group, Department of National Defence, Government of Canada, Ottawa
| | - Rakesh Jetly
- Department of Psychological Research and Research Methods, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario
- Canadian Forces Health Services Group, Department of National Defence, Government of Canada, Ottawa
| | - Ruth A. Lanius
- Department of Psychological Research and Research Methods, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario
- Canadian Forces Health Services Group, Department of National Defence, Government of Canada, Ottawa
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Eidhof MB, Ter Heide FJJ, van Der Aa N, Schreckenbach M, Schmidt U, Brand BL, Lanius RA, Loewenstein RJ, Spiegel D, Vermetten E. The Dissociative Subtype of PTSD Interview (DSP-I): Development and Psychometric Properties. J Trauma Dissociation 2019; 20:564-581. [PMID: 31132959 DOI: 10.1080/15299732.2019.1597806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The inclusion of the dissociative subtype of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD-DS) in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) reflects the importance of assessing PTSD-DS. We developed the Dissociative Subtype of PTSD Interview (DSP-I). This clinician-administered instrument assesses the presence and severity of PTSD-DS (i.e., symptoms of depersonalization or derealization) and contains a supplementary checklist that enables assessment and differentiation of other trauma-related dissociative symptoms (i.e., blanking out, emotional numbing, alterations in sensory perception, amnesia, and identity confusion). The psychometric properties were tested in 131 treatment-seeking individuals with PTSD and histories of multiple trauma, 17.6 % of whom met criteria for PTSD-DS in accordance with the DSP-I. The checklist was tested in 275 treatment-seeking individuals. Results showed the DSP-I to have high internal consistency, good convergent validity with PTSD-DS items of the CAPS-5, and good divergent validity with scales of somatization, anxiety and depression. The depersonalization and derealization scales were highly associated. Moreover, the DSP-I accounted for an additional variance in PTSD severity scores of 8% over and above the CAPS-5 and number of traumatic experiences. The dissociative experiences of the checklist were more strongly associated with scales of overall distress, somatization, depression, and anxiety than scales of depersonalization and derealization. In conclusion, the DSP-I appears to be a clinically relevant and psychometrically sound instrument that is valuable for use in clinical and research settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marloes B Eidhof
- Psychotraumacentrum Zuid Nederland, Reinier van Arkel , 's Hertogenbosch , The Netherlands.,Psychotrauma Expert Group, Arq , Diemen , The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Ulrike Schmidt
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry , München , Germany.,Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychotrauma Unit & RG Stress Modulation of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) , Göttingen , Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center , Maastricht , The Netherlands
| | - Bethany L Brand
- Department of Psychology, Towson University , Towson , MD , USA
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario , London , Ontario , Canada
| | - Richard J Loewenstein
- Sheppard Pratt Health System , Baltimore , MD , USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - David Spiegel
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine , Stanford , CA , USA
| | - Eric Vermetten
- Psychotrauma Expert Group, Arq , Diemen , The Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center , Leiden , The Netherlands.,Military Mental Health Care - Research, Ministry of Defense , Utrecht , The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Harricharan S, Nicholson AA, Thome J, Densmore M, McKinnon MC, Théberge J, Frewen PA, Neufeld RWJ, Lanius RA. PTSD and its dissociative subtype through the lens of the insula: Anterior and posterior insula resting‐state functional connectivity and its predictive validity using machine learning. Psychophysiology 2019; 57:e13472. [DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sherain Harricharan
- Department of Neuroscience Western University London Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychiatry Western University London Ontario Canada
- Imaging Division Lawson Health Research Institute London Ontario Canada
| | - Andrew A. Nicholson
- Department of Psychological Research and Research Methods University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Janine Thome
- Department of Psychiatry Western University London Ontario Canada
- Imaging Division Lawson Health Research Institute London Ontario Canada
| | - Maria Densmore
- Department of Psychiatry Western University London Ontario Canada
- Imaging Division Lawson Health Research Institute London Ontario Canada
| | - Margaret C. McKinnon
- Mood Disorders Program St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences McMaster University Hamilton Ontario Canada
- Homewood Research Institute Guelph Ontario Canada
| | - Jean Théberge
- Department of Psychiatry Western University London Ontario Canada
- Imaging Division Lawson Health Research Institute London Ontario Canada
- Department of Medical Imaging Western University London Ontario Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics Western University London Ontario Canada
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging St. Joseph's Healthcare London Ontario Canada
| | - Paul A. Frewen
- Department of Neuroscience Western University London Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychiatry Western University London Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychology Western University London Ontario Canada
| | - Richard W. J. Neufeld
- Department of Psychiatry Western University London Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychology Western University London Ontario Canada
| | - Ruth A. Lanius
- Department of Neuroscience Western University London Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychiatry Western University London Ontario Canada
- Imaging Division Lawson Health Research Institute London Ontario Canada
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Nicholson AA, Densmore M, McKinnon MC, Neufeld RWJ, Frewen PA, Théberge J, Jetly R, Richardson JD, Lanius RA. Machine learning multivariate pattern analysis predicts classification of posttraumatic stress disorder and its dissociative subtype: a multimodal neuroimaging approach. Psychol Med 2019; 49:2049-2059. [PMID: 30306886 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291718002866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The field of psychiatry would benefit significantly from developing objective biomarkers that could facilitate the early identification of heterogeneous subtypes of illness. Critically, although machine learning pattern recognition methods have been applied recently to predict many psychiatric disorders, these techniques have not been utilized to predict subtypes of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including the dissociative subtype of PTSD (PTSD + DS). METHODS Using Multiclass Gaussian Process Classification within PRoNTo, we examined the classification accuracy of: (i) the mean amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (mALFF; reflecting spontaneous neural activity during rest); and (ii) seed-based amygdala complex functional connectivity within 181 participants [PTSD (n = 81); PTSD + DS (n = 49); and age-matched healthy trauma-unexposed controls (n = 51)]. We also computed mass-univariate analyses in order to observe regional group differences [false-discovery-rate (FDR)-cluster corrected p < 0.05, k = 20]. RESULTS We found that extracted features could predict accurately the classification of PTSD, PTSD + DS, and healthy controls, using both resting-state mALFF (91.63% balanced accuracy, p < 0.001) and amygdala complex connectivity maps (85.00% balanced accuracy, p < 0.001). These results were replicated using independent machine learning algorithms/cross-validation procedures. Moreover, areas weighted as being most important for group classification also displayed significant group differences at the univariate level. Here, whereas the PTSD + DS group displayed increased activation within emotion regulation regions, the PTSD group showed increased activation within the amygdala, globus pallidus, and motor/somatosensory regions. CONCLUSION The current study has significant implications for advancing machine learning applications within the field of psychiatry, as well as for developing objective biomarkers indicative of diagnostic heterogeneity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Nicholson
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Maria Densmore
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada
- Department of Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Richard W J Neufeld
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Paul A Frewen
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jean Théberge
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Imaging, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Medial Biophysics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Joseph's Healthcare, London, ON, Canada
| | - Rakesh Jetly
- Canadian Forces, Health Services, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - J Donald Richardson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada
- Department of Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Rehman Y, Sadeghirad B, Guyatt GH, McKinnon MC, McCabe RE, Lanius RA, Richardson DJ, Couban R, Sousa-Dias H, Busse JW. Management of post-traumatic stress disorder: A protocol for a multiple treatment comparison meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019; 98:e17064. [PMID: 31574805 PMCID: PMC6775348 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000017064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most systematic reviews have explored the efficacy of treatments on symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is a chronic and often disabling condition. Previous network meta-analysis (NMA) had limitations such as focusing on pharmacological or psychotherapies. Our review is aims to explore the relative effectiveness of both pharmacological and psychotherapies and we will establish the differential efficacy of interventions for PTSD in consideration of both symptom reduction and functional recovery. METHODS We will conduct a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluating treatment interventions for PTSD. We will systematically search Medline, PILOT, Embase, CINHAL, AMED, Psychinfo, Health Star, DARE and CENTRAL to identify trials that: (1) enroll adult patients with PTSD, and (2) randomize them to alternative interventions or an intervention and a placebo/sham arm. Independent reviewers will screen trials for eligibility, assess risk of bias using a modified Cochrane instrument, and extract data. Our outcomes of interest include PTSD symptom reduction, quality of life, functional recovery, social and occupational impairment, return to work and all-cause drop outs. RESULTS We will conduct frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis to assess relative effects of competing interventions. We will use a priori hypotheses to explore heterogeneity between studies, and assess the certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach. CONCLUSION This network meta-analysis will determine the comparative effectiveness of therapeutic options for PTSD on both symptom reduction and functional recovery. Our results will be helpful to clinicians and patients with PTSD, by providing a high-quality evidence synthesis to guide shared-care decision making.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasir Rehman
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI)
- The Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Pain Research and Care, McMaster University
- Canadian Academy of Osteopathy (CAO)
| | - Behnam Sadeghirad
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI)
- The Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Pain Research and Care, McMaster University
| | - Gordon H. Guyatt
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI)
| | - Margaret C. McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University
- Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph
| | - Randi E. McCabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University
- Anxiety Treatment & Research Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton
| | - Ruth A. Lanius
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph
- Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences Western University
| | - Donald J. Richardson
- MacDonald/Franklin OSI Research Centre, Western University
- Lawson Health Research Institute
- Parkwood Hospital Operational Stress Injury Clinic, St. Joseph's Health Care London
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences Western University, London
| | - Rachel Couban
- The Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Pain Research and Care, McMaster University
| | | | - Jason W. Busse
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI)
- The Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Pain Research and Care, McMaster University
- Department of Anesthesia
- The Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|