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P-1162 - Pre- Intra- and Post-treatment eeg Imaging of Emdr - Neurobiological Bases of Treatment Efficacy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2020

M. Pagani
Affiliation:
Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, CNR, Roma, Italy Department of Psychiatry, University of Rome’Tor Vergata’, Roma, Italy EMDR Italy Association, Roma, Italy Department of Psychology, University of Rome’La Sapienza’, Roma, Italy
G. Di Lorenzo
Affiliation:
Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, CNR, Roma, Italy Department of Psychiatry, University of Rome’Tor Vergata’, Roma, Italy EMDR Italy Association, Roma, Italy Department of Psychology, University of Rome’La Sapienza’, Roma, Italy
A.R. Verardo
Affiliation:
Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, CNR, Roma, Italy Department of Psychiatry, University of Rome’Tor Vergata’, Roma, Italy EMDR Italy Association, Roma, Italy Department of Psychology, University of Rome’La Sapienza’, Roma, Italy
G. Nicolais
Affiliation:
Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, CNR, Roma, Italy Department of Psychiatry, University of Rome’Tor Vergata’, Roma, Italy EMDR Italy Association, Roma, Italy Department of Psychology, University of Rome’La Sapienza’, Roma, Italy
G. Lauretti
Affiliation:
Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, CNR, Roma, Italy Department of Psychiatry, University of Rome’Tor Vergata’, Roma, Italy EMDR Italy Association, Roma, Italy Department of Psychology, University of Rome’La Sapienza’, Roma, Italy
R. Russo
Affiliation:
Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, CNR, Roma, Italy Department of Psychiatry, University of Rome’Tor Vergata’, Roma, Italy EMDR Italy Association, Roma, Italy Department of Psychology, University of Rome’La Sapienza’, Roma, Italy
P. Cogolo
Affiliation:
Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, CNR, Roma, Italy Department of Psychiatry, University of Rome’Tor Vergata’, Roma, Italy EMDR Italy Association, Roma, Italy Department of Psychology, University of Rome’La Sapienza’, Roma, Italy
C. Niolu
Affiliation:
Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, CNR, Roma, Italy Department of Psychiatry, University of Rome’Tor Vergata’, Roma, Italy EMDR Italy Association, Roma, Italy Department of Psychology, University of Rome’La Sapienza’, Roma, Italy
M. Ammaniti
Affiliation:
Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, CNR, Roma, Italy Department of Psychiatry, University of Rome’Tor Vergata’, Roma, Italy EMDR Italy Association, Roma, Italy Department of Psychology, University of Rome’La Sapienza’, Roma, Italy
A. Siracusano
Affiliation:
Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, CNR, Roma, Italy Department of Psychiatry, University of Rome’Tor Vergata’, Roma, Italy EMDR Italy Association, Roma, Italy Department of Psychology, University of Rome’La Sapienza’, Roma, Italy
I. Fernandez
Affiliation:
Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, CNR, Roma, Italy Department of Psychiatry, University of Rome’Tor Vergata’, Roma, Italy EMDR Italy Association, Roma, Italy Department of Psychology, University of Rome’La Sapienza’, Roma, Italy

Abstract

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Aim

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a recognized first-line treatment for psychological trauma. However its neurobiological bases have not been disclosed yet.

Methods

Electroencephalography was used for the first time to fully monitor neuronal activation during whole EMDR sessions including the autobiographical script. Nine clients with major psychological trauma were investigated during the first EMDR session and during the last one performed after processing the index trauma. Comparisons between the EEG of the first and last EMDR session and between the EEG of the clients at the first session and those of 9 controls undergoing the same EMDR procedure were performed.

Results

During both script listening and bilateral stimulation EEG showed significantly higher activity in the prefrontal limbic cortex (Brodmann Areas, BA 9–10) at the first as compared to the last EMDR session. The opposite comparison showed a shift of the prevalent activity towards temporal, parietal and occipital cortical regions (BAs 20, 21, 22, 37, 17, 18, 19) with leftward lateralisation. The comparison between the 9 clients and the 9 controls confirmed the maximal activation in the limbic cortex in the clients before processing the trauma.

Conclusions

The implemented methodology made possible to image for the first time the specific activations associated with the therapeutic actions contemplated by EMDR. The findings suggest cognitive processing of traumatic events following successful EMDR therapy supporting the evidence of distinct neurobiological patterns of brain activations during bilateral ocular stimulation associated with a significant relieve from negative emotional experiences.

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Abstract
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2012
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