Morphovolumetric changes after EMDR treatment in drug-naïve PTSD patients.

Introduction: Few studies have investigated the effects of efficacious psychotherapy on structural alterations of discrete brain regions associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We therefore proposed to evaluate the neurobiological effects of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) on 19 patients with drug-naïve PTSD without comorbidity, matched with 19 untreated healthy controls.

Methods: We administered the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and conducted brain MRI measurements (with Optimized Voxel-Based Morphometry).

PTSD in victims of terroristic attacks - a comparison with the impact of other traumatic events on patients' lives.

Objectives: To identify possible differences, in terms of duration and severity of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, between victims of terrorist attacks and subjects who underwent other types of traumatic events.

Methods: A sample of subjects suffering from PTSD was selected. After a clinical interview aimed at the collection of anamnestic data, CAPS to confirm the diagnosis of PTSD and DTS to assess frequency and severity of post-traumatic symptoms were administered.

[Sexual dysfunctions, psychiatric diseases and quality of life: a review].

Sexual dysfunctions may have a significant effect on the quality of life, but are unreported and under-diagnosed. A review of recent literature highlights the correlation between dysfunction and a decreased quality of life in people with psychiatric comorbidity, and explores several aspects impacting care, from following the patient to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. Sexual dysfunctions (SD) have been shown to be prevalent, but under-diagnosed and un-dertreated because of communication barriers between patients and physicians.

[Light therapy as a treatment for sexual dysfunctions--beyond a pilot study].

Objectives: Seasonal trends were demonstrated in reproduction and sexual activity. Through the secretion ofmelatonin the pineal gland plays an important role in the neuroendocrine control of sexual function and reproductive physiology. We hypothesized that inhibition of the pineal gland activity through a light treatment may favorably affect sexual function.

[Diagnostic mistakes in post-traumatic stress disorder. The problem of symptom overlap with depression].

Objectives: The overlap between symptoms of PTSD and MDD is substantial. PTSD symptoms arise after a traumatic experience and the trauma is present in all of the diagnostic clusters. In individuals who have experienced a trauma a long time before, it is difficult to establish the exact moment of onset of their symptoms in relation to the trauma suffered.

Photosensitivity and panic-agoraphobic spectrum: a pilot study.

Background: The aims of this study were to assess photosensitivity (photophobia and photophilia) in panic disorder (PD) patients compared to healthy controls, and to evaluate the correlation between photosensitivity and panic-agoraphobic spectrum self-report (PAS-SR) scores.

Methods: The PAS-SR and Photosensitivity Assessment Questionnaires were administered to 24 PD subjects and 33 healthy controls.

Results: Compared to controls, PD patients showed significantly higher levels of photophobia and lower levels of photophilia items.

[Evaluation study of clinical and neurobiological efficacy of EMDR in patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder].

Unlabelled: Strong evidences support use of EMDR in patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Aim: To evaluate clinical and neurobiological-structural efficacy of EMDR on drug-naïve PTSD without comorbidity.

Materials And Methods: We made clinical evaluation and hippocampal volume measurement by MRI on 29 subjects suffering from PTSD and on 30 healthy control-subjects.