@article{pmid35404227,

title = {Memory reconsolidation impairment using the β-adrenergic receptor blocker propranolol reduces nightmare severity in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder: a preliminary study},

author = {Claire Mallet and Christina F Chick and Redwan Maatoug and Philippe Fossati and Alain Brunet and Bruno Millet},

doi = {10.5664/jcsm.10010},

issn = {1550-9397},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-07-01},

journal = {J Clin Sleep Med},

volume = {18},

number = {7},

pages = {1847--1855},

abstract = {STUDY OBJECTIVES: Posttraumatic nightmares may exacerbate and perpetuate the daytime symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and might represent a therapeutic target. The therapeutic strategy of memory reconsolidation using the β-adrenergic receptor blocker propranolol associated with re-exposure psychotherapy is a promising treatment in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder. Previous studies have established this therapy is effective in reducing overall clinician-assessed posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, but to date no previous study has specifically focused on posttraumatic nightmares in this therapy. This study provides a preliminary assessment of the evolution of nightmare severity during this therapy protocol compared with the decrease of the other posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. It evaluates the incidence of side effects and examines the relative effects on posttraumatic nightmares.nnMETHODS: Patients were recruited as part of the Paris Mémoire Vive Study. Data were collected using a prospective longitudinal design including 1 baseline visit, 6 therapeutic visits, and 2 follow-up visits. During the 6 therapeutic visits, propranolol was administered orally 60 to 75 minutes prior to the psychotherapeutic session.nnRESULTS: On average, nightmare severity decreased from "severe" to "mild" during the protocol and remained stable 2 months after the last session. Whereas 85% of patients reported nightmares at baseline, only 50% still had them after the protocol. The protocol was generally well tolerated and did not increase nightmare severity for any patient in the study.nnCONCLUSIONS: Memory reconsolidation therapy with propranolol seems promising in reducing nightmare severity, up to and including remission. However, research using a randomized controlled design and assessing maintenance of nightmare extinction is warranted.nnCLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Name: Using Reconsolidation Blockade to Treat Trauma Related Disorders After Paris Attacks: An Effectiveness Study (PARIS-MEM); Identifier: NCT02789982; URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02789982.nnCITATION: Mallet C, Chick CF, Maatoug R, Fossati P, Brunet A, Millet B. Memory reconsolidation impairment using the β-adrenergic receptor blocker propranolol reduces nightmare severity in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder: a preliminary study. . 2022;18(7):1847-1855.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pmid35537033,

title = {Media Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional Study},

author = {Marjolaine Rivest-Beauregard and Justine Fortin and Connie Guo and Sabrina Cipolletta and Ram P Sapkota and Michelle Lonergan and Alain Brunet},

doi = {10.2196/33011},

issn = {1438-8871},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-06-01},

journal = {J Med Internet Res},

volume = {24},

number = {6},

pages = {e33011},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: Throughout the pandemic, the general population was encouraged to use media to be kept informed about sanitary measures while staying connected with others to obtain social support. However, due to mixed findings in the literature, it is not clear whether media use in such a context would be pathogenic or salutogenic.nnOBJECTIVE: Therefore, the associations between COVID-19-related stressors and frequency of media use for information-seeking on trauma- and stressor-related (TSR) symptoms were examined while also investigating how social media use for support-seeking and peritraumatic distress interact with those variables.nnMETHODS: A path model was tested in a sample of 5913 adults who completed an online survey.nnRESULTS: The number of COVID-19-related stressors (β=.25; P<.001) and extent of information-seeking through media (β=.24; P=.006) were significantly associated with the severity of TSR symptoms in bivariate comparisons. Associations between levels of peritraumatic distress and both COVID-19-related stressors and information-seeking through media, and social media use for support- and information-seeking through media were found (β=.49, P<.001; β=.70, P<.001; β=.04, P<.001).nnCONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that exposure to COVID-19-related stressors and seeking COVID-19-related information through the media are associated with higher levels of peritraumatic distress that, in turn, lead to higher levels of TSR symptoms. Although exposure to the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic may be unavoidable, the frequency of COVID-19-related information consumption through various media should be approached with caution.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pmid35484539,

title = {PTSD is not the emblematic disorder of the COVID-19 pandemic; adjustment disorder is},

author = {Alain Brunet and Marjolaine Rivest-Beauregard and Michelle Lonergan and Sabrina Cipolletta and Andrew Rasmussen and Xiangfei Meng and Nematollah Jaafari and Sara Romero and Julia Superka and Adam D Brown and Ram P Sapkota},

doi = {10.1186/s12888-022-03903-5},

issn = {1471-244X},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-04-01},

journal = {BMC Psychiatry},

volume = {22},

number = {1},

pages = {300},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been hailed by some as the emblematic mental disorder of the COVID-19 pandemic, assuming that PTSD's life-threat criterion was met de facto. More plausible outcomes like adjustment disorder (AD) have been overlooked.nnMETHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was launched in the initial stage of the pandemic using a convenience sample of 5 913 adults to compare the prevalence of COVID-related probable PTSD versus probable AD. The abridged Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-6) assessed the severity of trauma- and stressor-related symptoms over the previous week. Demographic and pandemic-related data (e.g., receiving a formal diagnosis of COVID-19, job loss, loss of loved one, confinement, material hardship) were collected. A Classification and Regression Tree analysis was conducted to uncover the pandemic experiences leading to clinical 'caseness'. Caseness was defined by a score > 9 on the IES-6 symptom measure and further characterized as PTSD or AD depending on whether the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory's life-threat item was endorsed or not.nnRESULTS: The participants were predominantly Caucasian (72.8%), women (79.2%), with a university degree (85%), and a mean age of 42.22 (SD = 15.24) years; 3 647 participants (61.7%; 95%CI [60.4, 63.0]) met the threshold for caseness. However, when perceived life-threat was accounted for, only 6.7% (95%CI [6.1, 7.4]) were classified as PTSD cases, and 55% (95%CI [53.7, 56.2]) as AD cases. Among the AD cases, three distinct profiles emerged marked by the following: (i) a worst personal pandemic experience eliciting intense fear, helplessness or horror (in the absence, however, of any life-threat), (ii) a pandemic experience eliciting sadness/grief, and (iii) worrying intensely about the safety of significant others.nnCONCLUSIONS: Studies considering the life-threat criterion as met de facto during the pandemic are confusing PTSD for AD on most counts. This misconception is obscuring the various AD-related idioms of distress that have emerged during the pandemic and the actual treatment needs.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pmid36419982,

title = {A narrative review of the epigenetics of post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder treatment},

author = {Lei Cao-Lei and Daniel Saumier and Justine Fortin and Alain Brunet},

doi = {10.3389/fpsyt.2022.857087},

issn = {1664-0640},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Front Psychiatry},

volume = {13},

pages = {857087},

abstract = {Epigenetic research in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is essential, given that environmental stressors and fear play such a crucial role in its development. As such, it may provide a framework for understanding individual differences in the prevalence of the disorder and in treatment response. This paper reviews the epigenetic markers associated with PTSD and its treatment, including candidate genes and epigenome-wide studies. Because the etiopathogenesis of PTSD rests heavily on learning and memory, we also draw upon animal neuroepigenetic research on the acquisition, update and erasure of fear memory, focusing on the mechanisms associated with memory reconsolidation. Reconsolidation blockade (or impairment) treatment in PTSD has been studied in clinical trials and, from a neurological perspective, may hold promise for identifying epigenetic markers of successful therapy. We conclude this paper by discussing several key considerations and challenges in epigenetic research on PTSD in humans.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pmid36247840,

title = {Narratives of the worst experiences associated with peritraumatic distress during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed method study in the USA and Italy},

author = {Sabrina Cipolletta and Silvia Caterina Maria Tomaino and Marjolaine Rivest-Beauregard and Ram P Sapkota and Alain Brunet and David Winter},

doi = {10.1080/20008066.2022.2129359},

issn = {2000-8066},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Eur J Psychotraumatol},

volume = {13},

number = {2},

pages = {2129359},

abstract = { Although symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been associated with the COVID-19 pandemic experiences, no study has explored yet the association of specific COVID-19 narratives with peritraumatic distress, the precursor of PTSD.  To explore the worst experiences associated with peritraumatic distress during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Adult residents ( = 1098), from the US ( = 741) and Italy ( = 357), completed an online survey including socio-demographic data, COVID-19-related experiences, the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory and an open question on their worst experiences during the first period of the COVID-19 pandemic (April-May 2020). A thematic content analysis (TCA) was conducted on the answers to the open question and a classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was used to identify the themes that best predicted the clinical levels of peritraumatic distress.  The main TCA themes related to participants' worst COVID-19 experiences were anxiety, threat, loss, anger, stress and constriction. Threat was the most prevalent theme and correlated with experiences such as being quarantined, being infected and a loved one receiving the diagnosis. US participants' descriptions of their worst experiences related more to life-threat and loss, while Italians reported more threat to the world, stress, social isolation, and feeling trapped. In the CART analysis, the main predictor (79.9%) was perceiving negative effects from the COVID-19 crisis. Among them, a COVID-related threat to self-experience was the most robust predictor. In its absence, being deprived of resources or experiencing high levels of anxiety were other robust predictors.  The study provided evidence of the utility of a mixed-method approach in conceptualizing experiences associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk of traumatic symptoms. Its findings may inform healthcare interventions and policies for tackling the new challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Clinically significant levels of peritraumatic distress symptoms were prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic.Clinically significant levels of peritraumatic distress during the COVID-19 pandemic were related to experiences of life-threat, resource deprivation, and anxiety, cross-cutting the themes articulated by the thematic content analysis of anxiety, threat, loss, anger, stress and constriction.The US and Italian participants' descriptions of their worst experiences differed in subtle but important ways, with Americans reporting more life-threat and losses compared to Italians reporting more threat to the world, stress, social isolation, and feelings of being trapped.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pmid36172510,

title = {Commentary: Pandemic exposure, post-traumatic stress disorder, conflict behaviors, and online aggressive behaviors among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: Examining the moderating role of gender},

author = {Samira Feizi and Frank Elgar and Michelle Lonergan and Kayla Eisenberg and Nesrine Rahmouni and Alain Brunet},

doi = {10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1006330},

issn = {1664-0640},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Front Psychiatry},

volume = {13},

pages = {1006330},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pmid35361699,

title = {Impairing memory reconsolidation with propranolol in healthy and clinical samples: a meta-analysis},

author = {Sereena Pigeon and Michelle Lonergan and Olivia Rotondo and Roger K Pitman and Alain Brunet},

doi = {10.1503/jpn.210057},

issn = {1488-2434},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {J Psychiatry Neurosci},

volume = {47},

number = {2},

pages = {E109--E122},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: Reconsolidation impairment using propranolol is a novel intervention for mental disorders with an emotional memory at their core. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we examined the evidence for this intervention in healthy and clinical adult samples.nnMETHODS: We searched 8 databases for randomized, double-blind studies that involved at least 1 propranolol group and 1 placebo group. We conducted a meta-analysis of 14 studies ( = 478) in healthy adults and 12 studies in clinical samples ( = 446).nnRESULTS: Compared to placebo, reconsolidation impairment under propranolol resulted in reduced recall of aversive material and cue-elicited conditioned emotional responses in healthy adults, as evidenced by an effect size (Hedges ) of -0.51 ( = 0.002, 2-tailed). Moreover, compared to placebo, reconsolidation impairment under propranolol alleviated psychiatric symptoms and reduced cue-elicited reactivity in clinical samples with posttraumatic stress disorder, addiction or phobia ( = -0.42,  = 0.010).nnLIMITATIONS: Methodological differences between studies posed an obstacle for identifying sources of heterogeneity.nnCONCLUSION: Reconsolidation impairment is a robust, well-replicated phenomenon in humans. Its clinical use is promising and deserves further controlled investigation.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pmid34482373,

title = {The mental health impacts of receiving a breast cancer diagnosis: A meta-analysis},

author = {Justine Fortin and Mélissandre Leblanc and Guillaume Elgbeili and Matthew J Cordova and Marie-France Marin and Alain Brunet},

doi = {10.1038/s41416-021-01542-3},

issn = {1532-1827},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-11-01},

journal = {Br J Cancer},

volume = {125},

number = {11},

pages = {1582--1592},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can be a turning point with negative impacts on mental health, treatment and prognosis. This meta-analysis sought to determine the nature and prevalence of clinically significant psychological distress-related symptoms in the wake of a breast cancer diagnosis.nnMETHODS: Ten databases were searched between March and August 2020. Thirty-nine quantitative studies were meta-analysed.nnRESULTS: The prevalence of clinically significant symptoms was 39% for non-specific distress (n = 13), 34% for anxiety (n = 19), 31% for post-traumatic stress (n = 7) and 20% for depression (n = 25). No studies reporting breast cancer patients' well-being in our specific time frame were found.nnCONCLUSION: Mental health can be impacted in at least four domains following a diagnosis of breast cancer and such effects are commonplace. This study outlines a clear need for mitigating the impacts on mental health brought about by breast cancer diagnosis. CRD42020203990.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pmid34479508,

title = {Tackling the global problem of traumatic stress in low-income countries: a pilot clinical trial comparing reconsolidation therapy to paroxetine in Nepal},

author = {Alain Brunet and Ram P Sapkota and Bhushan Guragain and Jacques Tremblay and Daniel Saumier and Laurence J Kirmayer},

doi = {10.1186/s12888-021-03441-6},

issn = {1471-244X},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-09-01},

journal = {BMC Psychiatry},

volume = {21},

number = {1},

pages = {434},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: Traumatic stress is a global mental health problem requiring novel, easily implemented treatment solutions. We compared the effectiveness and efficiency of Reconsolidation Therapy (RT) to the well-established antidepressant paroxetine, in reducing symptoms of traumatic stress among patients from Nepal, a low-income country.nnMETHODS: Forty-six adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were randomized to one of two groups. The reconsolidation blocker propranolol was administered 90 min before briefly recalling a traumatic memory with a therapist, weekly for six consecutive weeks. This was compared to daily paroxetine for 26 weeks. Self-reported PTSD symptoms were assessed blindly at the 7th, 13th, and 26th weeks.nnRESULTS: An intent-to-treat analysis revealed a robust pre- to post-treatment main effect (β = - 4.83, 95% CI = [- 5.66, - 4.01], p < .001), whereby both groups improved, with Cohen's effect sizes of d = 2.34 (95% CI = [1.57, 3.12]) for paroxetine, and of 2.82 (95% CI = [1.98, 3.66]) for RT after 7 weeks, suggesting treatment effectiveness for both groups in a real-world setting. Three and six-month follow-up yielded further significant improvement in both groups, which did not differ from each other.nnCONCLUSION: RT also displayed promising efficiency, considering that it had been discontinued weeks earlier while the paroxetine treatment was continued, as recommended. RT could be taught in low-income countries as part of the local therapeutic resources to treat the core symptoms of PTSD, provided that such results are replicated on a broader scale.nnTRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN34308454 (11/10/2017).},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pmid33706830,

title = {Unexpected effects of expressive writing on post-disaster distress in the Hurricane Harvey Study: a randomized controlled trial in perinatal women},

author = {Vincent Paquin and Johanna Bick and Rebecca Lipschutz and Guillaume Elgbeili and David P Laplante and Brian Biekman and Alain Brunet and Suzanne King and David Olson},

doi = {10.1017/S003329172100074X},

issn = {1469-8978},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-03-01},

journal = {Psychol Med},

pages = {1--9},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: Expressive writing requires journaling stressor-related thoughts and feelings over four daily sessions of 15 min. Thirty years of research have popularized expressive writing as a brief intervention for fostering trauma-related resilience; however, its ability to surpass placebo remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of expressive writing for improving post-traumatic stress symptoms in perinatal women who were living in the Houston area during major flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey.nnMETHODS: A total of 1090 women were randomly allocated (1:1:1) to expressive writing, neutral writing or no writing. Interventions were internet-based. Online questionnaires were completed before randomization and at 2 months post-intervention. The primary outcome was post-traumatic stress symptoms, measured with the Impact of Event Scale-Revised; secondary outcomes were affective symptoms, measured with the 40-item Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Scales. Feelings throughout the intervention were reported daily using tailored questionnaires.nnRESULTS: In intention-to-treat analyses, no post-treatment between-group differences were found on the primary and secondary outcomes. Per-protocol analyses yielded similar results. A number of putative moderators were tested, but none interacted with expressive writing. Expressive writing produced greater feelings of anxiety and sadness during the intervention compared to neutral writing; further, overall experiences from the intervention mediated associations between expressive writing and greater post-traumatic stress at 2 months post-intervention.nnCONCLUSIONS: Among disaster-stricken perinatal women, expressive writing was ineffective in reducing levels of post-traumatic stress, and may have exacerbated these symptoms in some.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pmid32533575,

title = {Is romantic partner betrayal a form of traumatic experience? A qualitative study},

author = {Michelle Lonergan and Alain Brunet and Marjolaine Rivest-Beauregard and Danielle Groleau},

doi = {10.1002/smi.2968},

issn = {1532-2998},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-02-01},

journal = {Stress Health},

volume = {37},

number = {1},

pages = {19--31},

abstract = {According to a growing body of research, betrayal by a romantic partner is increasingly considered as a form of interpersonal trauma. Between 30% and 60% of betrayed individuals experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety to clinically meaningful levels. From a clinical perspective, this constellation of symptoms can be conceptualized as a stressor-related adjustment disorder. Yet, no qualitative research has examined the association between romantic betrayal and traumatic stress from the perspective of betrayed individuals. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 participants who had completed a clinical trial for a new treatment for adjustment disorder stemming from betrayal. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Although betrayal was experienced as a shocking and destabilizing event, and participants used trauma or 'feeling traumatized' as a metaphor to describe their experience, few had constructed their reaction as traumatic stress. In fact, participants reported experiencing difficulties understanding the intensity of their experience. However, when exposed to external sources (e.g., books and interviews by psychologists and researchers) that used a trauma and PTSD framework to explain the effects of betrayal, participants reported feeling clarity, validation and relief. Findings are discussed in the light of theoretical and clinical implications.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pmid32762339,

title = {In Response to "Clinical Characteristics Associated with Early Phase Psychosis and Comorbid Substance Use": Methodological Concerns},

author = {Philippe Hwang and Lily Hechtman and Andrea Carboni-Jiménez and Ilya Demchenko and Alexandra Maduro and Noor Mady and Fama Tounkara and Ram P Sapkota and Alain Brunet},

doi = {10.1177/0706743720947636},

issn = {1497-0015},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-02-01},

journal = {Can J Psychiatry},

volume = {66},

number = {2},

pages = {183--184},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pmid34721819,

title = {Trauma on duty: cognitive functioning in police officers with and without posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)},

author = {Alexandra Bisson Desrochers and Isabelle Rouleau and Andréanne Angehrn and Helen-Maria Vasiliadis and Daniel Saumier and Alain Brunet},

doi = {10.1080/20008198.2021.1959117},

issn = {2000-8066},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-01},

journal = {Eur J Psychotraumatol},

volume = {12},

number = {1},

pages = {1959117},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: Neuropsychological alterations co-occur with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); yet, the nature and magnitude of such alterations in police officers remains unknown despite their high level of trauma exposure.nnOBJECTIVE: The current research sought to examine (1) cognitive functioning among police officers with and without PTSD; (2) the clinical significance of their cognitive performance; and (3) the relationship between PTSD symptoms and cognition.nnMETHOD: Thirty-one police officers with PTSD were compared to thirty age- and sex-matched trauma-exposed officers without PTSD. Clinical assessment and self-report questionnaires established PTSD status. All participants underwent a neuropsychological evaluation.nnRESULTS: Police officers with PTSD displayed lower cognitive performance across several domains, notably executive functioning, verbal learning and memory, and lexical access, compared to controls. The neuropsychological decrements in the PTSD group were mild compared to normative data, with average performances falling within normal limits. Among officers with PTSD, higher levels of intrusion symptoms were associated with reduced efficacy in executive functioning, as well as attention and working memory. Moreover, increased intrusion and avoidance symptoms were associated with slower information processing speed.nnCONCLUSION: Considering that even mild subclinical cognitive difficulties may affect their social and occupational functioning, it appears important to integrate neuropsychological assessments in the clinical management of police officers diagnosed with PTSD.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pmid32442863,

title = {Disaster-related prenatal maternal stress predicts HPA reactivity and psychopathology in adolescent offspring: Project Ice Storm},

author = {Erin Yong Ping and David P Laplante and Guillaume Elgbeili and Sherri Lee Jones and Alain Brunet and Suzanne King},

doi = {10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104697},

issn = {1873-3360},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-07-01},

journal = {Psychoneuroendocrinology},

volume = {117},

pages = {104697},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: Prenatal stress has been associated with adverse outcomes in offspring, including elevated risk of psychopathology. Fetal programming of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been posited as a biological mechanism underlying such consequences. The present study aimed to examine whether dysregulation of the offspring HPA axis mediates the relationship between prenatal stress exposure and adolescent psychopathology.nnMETHODS: Five months after the Quebec ice storm of 1998, women who had been pregnant at the time of the storm completed questionnaires about their objective hardship and subjective distress from the disaster. A total of 45 of their children, exposed to the ice storm in utero, participated at 13 years of age. Adolescents completed the Trier Social Stress Test while providing salivary samples to measure circulating cortisol levels. Maternal report of adolescent behaviors was assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist.nnRESULTS: Results from the study found that greater objective hardship was associated with elevated offspring cortisol reactivity at 13 years of age. Furthermore, greater subjective distress was associated with greater externalizing behaviors. While lower cortisol reactivity predicted greater externalizing behaviors, it did not mediate the association between maternal objective hardship or subjective distress and offspring externalizing or internalizing behaviors.nnCONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that objective hardship in pregnancy has long-term implications for offspring HPA axis functioning, which is also associated with externalizing behaviors. While dysregulation of the offspring HPA axis did not mediate the association between prenatal stress and offspring psychopathological symptoms, further research is warranted to investigate programming of alternative biological systems.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{pmid32194925,

title = {Trauma reactivation under propranolol among traumatized Syrian refugee children: preliminary evidence regarding efficacy},

author = {Sarah Thierrée and Sami Richa and Alain Brunet and Laurine Egreteau and Quentin Roig and David Clarys and Wissam El-Hage},

doi = {10.1080/20008198.2020.1733248},

issn = {2000-8066},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

journal = {Eur J Psychotraumatol},

volume = {11},

number = {1},

pages = {1733248},

abstract = {: There is a dearth of therapeutic solutions for traumatized young patients. Trauma reactivation conducted under the influence of the reconsolidation blocker propranolol (Reconsolidation Therapy) is a simple, cost-effective treatment option that has some promising initial results in adults suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). : To explore the usefulness of this novel treatment in children. The primary outcome was the reduction of PTSD symptoms at the end of treatment, while secondary outcomes included reduction in anxiety and in depressive symptoms. : An open-label clinical trial was conducted in a refugee camp in Syria, investigating the safety and efficacy of this therapeutic strategy in 117 children suffering from enduring PTSD symptoms. Participants received propranolol 90 minutes before briefly recalling (i.e. reactivating) a single personal traumatic memory, for 5 consecutive days. Self-reported anxiety, depressive, and PTSD symptoms were assessed at baseline, as well as 4 and 13 weeks after treatment. : A significant, clinically meaningful symptom reduction was observed at all post-treatment measurement times . baseline. More specifically, between baseline and the 13-week follow-up we observed a 64% PTSD symptoms reduction ( = 2.71). In a similar vein, we obtained a 39% symptoms reduction for depressive symptoms (1.01). The general anxiety symptoms improved, but eventually returned to prior level, probably because of the deteriorating living conditions in the camp. : This therapy appeared as a potentially safe and useful treatment strategy for children suffering from PTSD symptoms, warranting replication studies using stronger study designs. The social acceptability and ease of implementation of the treatment should also be noted.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}