A non-randomized pilot trial of the use of prazosin in the prevention of transition from acute stress disorder to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Background: Following a traumatic event, 40-80% of the patients with acute stress disorder (ASD) will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 67% at 6 months. Alpha1-blockers are effective in treating some symptoms of PTSD but their usefulness in acute stress situations remains unclear. We hypothesized that reducing noradrenergic hyperactivity with an alpha1-blocker during the acute phase after a traumatic event could prevent the transition to PTSD in patients with ASD.

Determinants of Care Pathways for C-PTSD Patients in French Psychotrauma Centers: A Qualitative Study.

In 2018, the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) established a novel nosographic category within the stress-specific disorders known as complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). Characterized by distinctive clinical attributes and a limited response to conventional PTSD treatments, C-PTSD has prompted the reconsideration of care methods. Our study's purpose was to explore the intricate factors shaping the care pathways for individuals suffering from C-PTSD.

Relevance and Feasibility of Group Traumatic Episode Protocol Delivered to Migrants: A Pilot Field Study.

Introduction: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) are commonly observed in migrants. Although Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can be helpful to treat these diseases, it remains difficult to propose EMDR as an individual intervention in help-seeking migrants. Group EMDR, like Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP), which was built around the 8 phases of the original EMDR protocol, could offer an effective treatment to a large number of people.

Experiences of Inter-Hospital Transfers (IHT) by Patients and Relatives during the COVID-19 Pandemic in France: A Qualitative Study.

Background: The first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic led to a rapid and unexpected saturation of the French ICU, forcing the health care system to adapt. Among other emergency measures, inter-hospital transfers were carried out.

Objective: To assess the psychological experience of patients and their relatives regarding inter-hospital transfers.

Can a single session of noninvasive brain stimulation applied over the prefrontal cortex prevent stress-induced cortisol release?

Introduction: A better understanding of how the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis can be externally regulated is of major importance, especially because hyperreactivity to stress has been proposed as a key factor in the onset and maintenance of many psychiatric conditions. Over the past decades, numerous studies have investigated whether non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) can regulate HPA axis reactivity in acute stress situation. As the current results did not allow us to draw clear conclusions, we decided to conduct a systematic review of the literature investigating the effect of a single NIBS session on stress-induced cortisol release.

Are psychological debriefing groups after a potential traumatic event suitable to prevent the symptoms of PTSD?

Psychological debriefing is a psychotherapeutic approach developed for early intervention in civilians and professionals who have to cope with a potential traumatic event (PTE). Although initial works claimed that this approach may decrease symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), some studies have concluded that the clinical benefits of psychological debriefing were limited. Several methodological variations could explain the discrepancies observed among studies.

An appropriate and reactive response to the repeated waves of the COVID-19 pandemic by the national medico-psychological network (CUMP) in France.

Introduction: France has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Anxiety, depression, burn out and the high proportion of post-traumatic stress disorder proved to be the most expected troubles caused by this pandemic and the confinement. Medico-psychological emergency units (CUMP) have been solicited at the very early stage of the pandemic because CUMP units are very well known by the French government and systematically associated to emergency plans.

[Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care professionals].

Like other pandemics, those of COVID-19 had a significant psychological impact on the general population. Nevertheless, this impact was even more acute among healthcare staff, in connection with repeated exposure to the risk of infection, the reorganization of healthcare and their specific positioning. Dispensary pharmacists, who ensured continuity of healthcare in a climate of widespread teleworking, were not spared.

Clinical Effects of Mindfulness-Based Intervention in Patients With First Episode Psychosis and in Individuals With Ultra-High Risk for Transition to Psychosis: A Review.

Recent clinical studies and meta-analyses have reported the clinical effects of mindfulness-based interventions as a complementary treatment for patients with schizophrenia, but their possible efficacy in patients with first episode of psychosis (FEP) and in individuals with ultra-high risk (UHR) of transition to psychosis is less clear. Here, we investigated the current evidence on the usefulness of mindfulness-based interventions in these two populations. We conducted a systematic search of the literature according to the PRISMA guidelines.

Impaired Modulation of Corticospinal Excitability in Drug-Free Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Theta-Burst Stimulation Study.

Impaired neural plasticity may be an important mechanism in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Coupled with electromyography (EMG), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a useful tool to evaluate corticospinal excitability and cortical neuroplasticity in living humans. The goal of this study was to compare rTMS-induced cortical plasticity changes in patients with MDD and in healthy volunteers.

Neural effects of mindfulness-based interventions on patients with major depressive disorder: A systematic review.

Growing evidence has suggested that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) could have beneficial effects on the acute phase of depression and on the prevention of depressive relapse or recurrence. Despite growing clinical interest, the effects of MBIs on brain functioning in patients with MDD remain unclear. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the changes in brain functioning associated with MBIs in patients with MDD.

Duration but not intensity influences transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) after-effects on cortical excitability.

Recent studies have shown heterogeneous results regarding the influence of intensity and duration of motor transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cortical excitability. In this pilot crossover study including 14 healthy participants, we compared the effects of a single session of anodal-tDCS set with two commonly used durations (20 and 30minutes) and intensities (1 and 2mA) on short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and intracortical facilitation (ICF). Regardless of the current intensity, 20minutes of tDCS increased SICI (3ms inter-stimulus interval ISI) and decreased ICF (7ms ISI); 30minutes of tDCS did not affect cortical excitability.

Exploring venlafaxine pharmacokinetic variability with a phenotyping approach, a multicentric french-swiss study (MARVEL study).

Background: It is well known that the standard doses of a given drug may not have equivalent effects in all patients. To date, the management of depression remains mainly empirical and often poorly evaluated. The development of a personalized medicine in psychiatry may reduce treatment failure, intolerance or resistance, and hence the burden and costs of mood depressive disorders.