Geneva is a strong and developing hub for the neurosciences. The Department of Psychiatry at the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) contributes to this development, in close collaboration with the University of Geneva and the Campus Biotech. The symposium presents a selection of current research activities at the Department of Psychiatry.
15:45 heure
The emotional function of sleep and dreams: implications for psychiatry
Dr. Lampros Perogamvros | HUG Hôpitaux Universitaires Genève | Switzerland
Détails
Auteur:
Dr. Lampros Perogamvros | HUG Hôpitaux Universitaires Genève | Switzerland
Recent experimental evidence from our group provides support for an emotional function of REM sleep and dreaming. Based on this evidence, we have conducted several randomized controlled studies to potentiate the consolidation of positive memories during REM sleep and to thus enhance therapy for several mental disorders, such as nightmare disorder and social anxiety disorder. Future studies aim to generalize the use of these methods in other disorders too, such as PTSD and insomnia disorder.
16:00 heure
A cross-species approach to social deficits in schizophrenia
Dr. Nabil Benzina
Détails
Auteur:
Dr. Nabil Benzina
Among the negative symptoms in schizophrenia, social impairment is pervasive and debilitating. Impaired social functioning, including limited quantity (e.g., few number of friends, low frequency of contacts with family) and quality (e.g., low perceived benefit, diminished social skills) of interpersonal exchanges and relationships, is often the norm. However, the neuronal circuits underlying this social impairment are unknown. Recently, Pr BELLONE's team was able to highlight the involvement of dopaminergic neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in social behaviors and how the alteration of their activity underlies the altered response to social stimuli exhibited by a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder (Nlgn3KO mice); a disorder sharing several features, including social impairments, with schizophrenia. Thus, this project is based on the implementation of a cross-species approach to study social behaviors in both a mouse model of schizophrenia, the LgDel+/- mice, and patients suffering from schizophrenia through the same behavioral paradigms of social exploration and social motivation. Following this behavioral study, which will allow the fine characterization of the social deficits expressed by both species, the focus will be placed on the analysis of the activity of the dopaminergic neurons of the VTA underlying these deficits through in vivo electrophysiological recordings coupled with these behavioral experiments in LgDel+/- mice. This project will thus make it possible to lift part of the veil on the neurobiological bases of the social impairments found in schizophrenia.
16:15 heure
Motivation for MDMA use (3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-Methylamphetamine) use
Dr. Alban Glangetas
Détails
Auteur:
Dr. Alban Glangetas
A major current issue is to assess the motivations for the use of less common psychoactive substances such as MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-Methylamphetamine). There is currently a lack of information regarding the factors that may lead to the use of this substance in different populations and their consequences for users. The objective of this work is to explore the motives of MDMA use. The study aims to include a total of 100 participants who have used this substance in the last 12 months, on a voluntary basis through an online questionnaire. It will explore the participants' motivations to use MDMA using the following validated questionnaires translated into French: the ASSIST, The attitude to Drug use, the Pahnke-Richards Mystical Experience Questionnaire; as well as sociodemographic data from the C-Surf project and an adaptation of the Drinking Motives Questionnaire for other psychoactive substances. The expected results will shed light on the external, internal, social and emotional factors that can influence MDMA users, in order to design targeted preventive and therapeutic programs, both at the public health and personal levels.
16:30 heure
Impact of peritraumatic dissociation in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: what link with post-COVID condition?
Dr. Lamyae Benzakour
Détails
Auteur:
Dr. Lamyae Benzakour
Background: Data suggest potential long-term risks of psychiatric issues that can be included in post-COVID-19 condition. We aimed to explore the predictive value of the peritraumatic dissociation and potential other risk factors during hospitalization for COVID-19 for anxiety, depression and PTSD and at 3 months.
Methods: We performed a screening of mental suffering in hospitalized patients for COVID-19, as well as specialized care and 3 months longitudinal follow-up. We evaluated the prevalence of anxiety, depression and PTSD in survivors, during hospitalization for COVID-19 (T0) and 3 months after (T1) and assessed possible risk factors in adults surviving COVID-19 between the 30th March and the 1st of July 2020. Univariate and multivariate regressive linear model have been built to assess the factors associated with depression, anxiety, and Post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD). We used STATA 15 for the statistical analyses.
Results: A total of 364 patients were hospitalized between the 30th of March and 1st of July 2020 and of these, 109 patients were screened at T0 and 61 of these were reassessed at T1. At T0, we found 44.9% with a score of Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire (PDEQ)>15, 14.6% with a score of Post-traumatic stress disorder scale 5 (PCL5) PCL5 > 31. We found at T1, 10.6% of PCL5 score >31. Finally, PDEQ score at T0 was positively correlated to PCL5 score at T1 (β=0.26, p=0.01). PDEQ, HADS-A, HADS-D and PCL5 scores during hospitalization were correlated with PCL5 score at T1. Patients requiring an ICU stay, compared to those who did not, had significantly higher PDEQ score during hospitalization (24.1 versus 15.6, p = 0.0014), but a lower HADS-A score 3 months after hospitalization (5.3 vs 2.3, p=0.01) and a lower HADS-D score at T0 (5.4 vs 2.6, p=0.01).
Discussion: Some symptoms can be categorized as psychiatric post-COVID-19 if they appeared in the aftermath of COVID-19, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, but also somatic symptoms disorders such as hyperventilation syndrome. Management strategies of post-COVID-19 condition must be based on a multidisciplinary approach.
Conclusion: Screening of psychiatric symptoms during hospitalization for COVID-19 should be systematic, especially peritraumatic dissociation to offer an early treatment and prevent PTSD. Studies undertaken to specify the effective treatments the post-COVID-19 condition are necessary.