Psychopharmacology (Berl)
October 23, 2023
Sarah K. Danböck, Or Duek, Ziv Ben-Zion et al.
6 citations
A single dose of a dissociative drug altered resting-state functional connectivity between frontal and limbic brain regions in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder, suggesting a potential mechanism for its therapeutic effects. The randomized controlled pilot study compared drug versus placebo in a small sample, finding changes in connectivity patterns that may relate to symptom reduction. The authors indicate that these preliminary results warrant further investigation in larger trials.
Journal of Trauma & Dissociation
April 7, 2025
Sarah K. Danböck, Yoki L. Mertens, Patricia Kulla et al.
3 citations
Dissociative symptoms—such as depersonalization, derealization, or gaps in awareness—occur across many mental disorders, not only dissociative disorders but also posttraumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder, where they significantly impair wellbeing and functioning. Despite extensive research, empirical findings on neurobiological correlates and treatment-outcome effects remain inconsistent, partly due to methodological heterogeneity and limitations. This critical review evaluates current methods for assessing and provoking dissociative symptoms in the laboratory, selecting participant samples, and considering key sample characteristics. It discusses the strengths and limits of standard and novel approaches, aiming to raise and harmonize research standards and guide future studies toward a better understanding of dissociative psychopathology.
April 13, 2023
Sarah K. Danböck, Or Duek, Ziv Ben‐Zion et al.
preprint
A subanesthetic dose of ketamine did not increase resting-state functional connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex and amygdala in individuals with PTSD, contrary to prior correlational findings. Instead, ketamine produced a stronger transient decrease in vmPFC-amygdala connectivity compared to the control drug midazolam. These preliminary results from a randomized controlled pilot study challenge the view that dissociation involves emotion overmodulation via increased fronto-limbic connectivity, suggesting a more nuanced neurobiological understanding of dissociative phenomena in PTSD is needed.