Theoretical and Neurophysiological Evidence of EMDR Therapy
Tracks
AUDITORIUM 1 - Sala Europa
| Saturday, June 24, 2023 |
| 10:30 - 12:30 |
| AUDITORIUM 1 - Sala Europa |
Speaker
Mrs. Renata Del Giudice
Psychologist - Psychotherapist - Researcher
Department Of Mental Health And Addiction, Asst Santi Paolo E Carlo, Milan
Preliminary neurophysiological evidences of attachment and the role of EMDR in the treatment of ANOREXIA NERVOSA
10:30 - 11:30Abstract
Authors
Renata del Giudice1, Adelaide Baccara1,2, Clarissa Dibenedetto1,2, Alice Garnero2, Claudia Carrara1,2, Simona Anselmetti1, Cristina Civilotti3,4, Sara Bertelli1, Armando D’Agostino2
1Department of Mental Health and Addiction, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Milan, Italy
2Department of Health Sciences, UniversitĂ degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
3EMDR center for Eating Disorders, Via Pergolesi 14, Milano, Italy.
4 Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy.
Background and aims
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is recognized to have a multifactorial etiology. One important developmental factor is attachment, which is thought to be the basis for emotion and self-regulation. While there is evidence of EMDR effectiveness in restoring emotional regulation in PTSD, less is known about EMDR-mediated improvement in AN patients. Furthermore, knowledge of neurophysiological underpinnings of attachment in AN patients is still exiguous. Information about neurophysiological correlates of traumatic attachment could help identify patient characteristics and establish treatment interventions.
Methods
We compared high-density scalp EEG activity before and after the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) in a group of AN patients. Patients were then randomly assigned to CBT or EMDR treatment. EEG recording was repeated four months after the beginning of CBT or EMDR sessions and as follow-up, six months after the completion of psychotherapy treatment. The results presented are part of a larger experimental design entitled "Comparison of EMDR with CBT for the treatment of anorexia nervosa".
Results
The preliminary results of the study suggest specific neurophysiological modulation after AAI administration at the different time points and in specific frequency bands.
Conclusions
Although the two therapeutic approaches, EMDR and CBT, are comparable in terms of efficacy, the specific electrophysiological response may be related to the therapeutic approaches, suggesting a possible role of the individual AAI time-frequency response at baseline.
Abstract topic
EMDR neurophysiology, Anorexia nervosa,
3 Learning objectives
Participants will be introduced with preliminary findings of this randomized clinical trial to shed light on the neurophysiological correlates of attachment and EMDR in anorexia nervosa.
Renata del Giudice1, Adelaide Baccara1,2, Clarissa Dibenedetto1,2, Alice Garnero2, Claudia Carrara1,2, Simona Anselmetti1, Cristina Civilotti3,4, Sara Bertelli1, Armando D’Agostino2
1Department of Mental Health and Addiction, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Milan, Italy
2Department of Health Sciences, UniversitĂ degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
3EMDR center for Eating Disorders, Via Pergolesi 14, Milano, Italy.
4 Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy.
Background and aims
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is recognized to have a multifactorial etiology. One important developmental factor is attachment, which is thought to be the basis for emotion and self-regulation. While there is evidence of EMDR effectiveness in restoring emotional regulation in PTSD, less is known about EMDR-mediated improvement in AN patients. Furthermore, knowledge of neurophysiological underpinnings of attachment in AN patients is still exiguous. Information about neurophysiological correlates of traumatic attachment could help identify patient characteristics and establish treatment interventions.
Methods
We compared high-density scalp EEG activity before and after the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) in a group of AN patients. Patients were then randomly assigned to CBT or EMDR treatment. EEG recording was repeated four months after the beginning of CBT or EMDR sessions and as follow-up, six months after the completion of psychotherapy treatment. The results presented are part of a larger experimental design entitled "Comparison of EMDR with CBT for the treatment of anorexia nervosa".
Results
The preliminary results of the study suggest specific neurophysiological modulation after AAI administration at the different time points and in specific frequency bands.
Conclusions
Although the two therapeutic approaches, EMDR and CBT, are comparable in terms of efficacy, the specific electrophysiological response may be related to the therapeutic approaches, suggesting a possible role of the individual AAI time-frequency response at baseline.
Abstract topic
EMDR neurophysiology, Anorexia nervosa,
3 Learning objectives
Participants will be introduced with preliminary findings of this randomized clinical trial to shed light on the neurophysiological correlates of attachment and EMDR in anorexia nervosa.
Mr. MARCO PAGANI
Istc-cnr
A biologically inspired neural network model to gain insight into the mechanisms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy
11:30 - 12:30Abstract
Authors
Andrea Mattera1,Alessia Cavallo1, Giovanni Granato1, Gianluca Baldassarre1, Marco Pagani1
1Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council, Via S. Martino della Battaglia 44, 00185 Rome
Background and aims
espite being an established therapeutic method for treating PTSD, the mechanism of action of EMDR is not completely understood. This is due to a limited knowledge of the neurobiological bases of EMDR and to an incomplete understanding of PTSD. We aim to fill this knowledge gap through Computational Psychiatry. This approach, integrating machine learning with experimental research and theoretical neuroscience, allows to tackle complex clinical problems and elucidate the underlying mechanisms [1]
Methods
We used a neural network model encompassing cortex, hippocampus and amygdala, to fit data (from [2]) of PTSD patients treated with EMDR or exposure therapy.
Results
The model reproduces a core symptom of PTSD, the emotional flashbacks induced by trauma-reminding cues. Moreover, it clarifies aspects of individual susceptibility to the onset of trauma and of its long-term persistence.
The faster symptoms remission in EMDR therapy compared to exposure therapy can be explained by the improvement of cortical synaptic plasticity and the more efficient recruitment of the prefrontal cortex.
Conclusions
Our results show biological mechanisms compatible with the adaptive information processing of Shapiro [3]. Enhanced cortical plasticity enables traumatic memory to be integrated into the prefrontal network, which in turn downregulates amygdala activity to prevent traumatic memory intrusion.
Abstract topic
Neurobiological bases of PTSD and EMDR
3 Learning objectives
1. Deeper understanding of the neurobiological bases of EMDR
2. Deeper understanding of the neurobiological bases of PTSD
3. Understand how new computational approaches can be used in psychiatry for data analysis and theory development
Andrea Mattera1,Alessia Cavallo1, Giovanni Granato1, Gianluca Baldassarre1, Marco Pagani1
1Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council, Via S. Martino della Battaglia 44, 00185 Rome
Background and aims
espite being an established therapeutic method for treating PTSD, the mechanism of action of EMDR is not completely understood. This is due to a limited knowledge of the neurobiological bases of EMDR and to an incomplete understanding of PTSD. We aim to fill this knowledge gap through Computational Psychiatry. This approach, integrating machine learning with experimental research and theoretical neuroscience, allows to tackle complex clinical problems and elucidate the underlying mechanisms [1]
Methods
We used a neural network model encompassing cortex, hippocampus and amygdala, to fit data (from [2]) of PTSD patients treated with EMDR or exposure therapy.
Results
The model reproduces a core symptom of PTSD, the emotional flashbacks induced by trauma-reminding cues. Moreover, it clarifies aspects of individual susceptibility to the onset of trauma and of its long-term persistence.
The faster symptoms remission in EMDR therapy compared to exposure therapy can be explained by the improvement of cortical synaptic plasticity and the more efficient recruitment of the prefrontal cortex.
Conclusions
Our results show biological mechanisms compatible with the adaptive information processing of Shapiro [3]. Enhanced cortical plasticity enables traumatic memory to be integrated into the prefrontal network, which in turn downregulates amygdala activity to prevent traumatic memory intrusion.
Abstract topic
Neurobiological bases of PTSD and EMDR
3 Learning objectives
1. Deeper understanding of the neurobiological bases of EMDR
2. Deeper understanding of the neurobiological bases of PTSD
3. Understand how new computational approaches can be used in psychiatry for data analysis and theory development
