Structural signature of trauma: white matter volume in right inferior frontal gyrus is positively associated with use of expressive suppression in recently traumatized individuals.

Differences in grey and white matter structure have been found between trauma-exposed individuals with and without PTSD. Yet, it remains unclear which functional processes are underlying these volumetric changes. Avoidance- and suppression-based emotion regulation strategies are candidates of interest since they play an important role in the development and maintenance of PTSD.

REM sleep in acutely traumatized individuals and interventions for the secondary prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Increasing evidence supports a close link between REM sleep and the consolidation of emotionally toned memories such as traumatic experiences. In order to investigate the role of sleep for the development of symptoms related to traumatic experiences, beyond experimental models in the laboratory, sleep of acutely traumatised individuals may be examined on the first night after trauma. This might allow us to identify EEG variables predicting the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and guide the way to novel sleep interventions to prevent PTSD.