2024
Some Closure on Exposure—Realigning the Perspective on Trauma Treatment and Finding a Pathway Forward: Reply to Brown (2024) and Najavits (2024)
Rubenstein A, Doran J, Duek O, Harpaz-Rotem I. Some Closure on Exposure—Realigning the Perspective on Trauma Treatment and Finding a Pathway Forward: Reply to Brown (2024) and Najavits (2024). American Psychologist 2024, 79: 350-351. PMID: 38635198, DOI: 10.1037/amp0001314.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTo Expose or Not to Expose: A Comprehensive Perspective on Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Rubenstein A, Duek O, Doran J, Harpaz-Rotem I. To Expose or Not to Expose: A Comprehensive Perspective on Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. American Psychologist 2024, 79: 331-343. PMID: 38635195, PMCID: PMC11034887, DOI: 10.1037/amp0001121.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderTreating posttraumatic stress disorderNon-trauma-focused treatmentsExposure therapyStress disorderTreatment of posttraumatic stress disorderNon-trauma-focused therapiesPosttraumatic stress disorder diagnosisSelf-directed exposureTrauma-focused psychotherapyPsychotherapy factorsTrauma memoriesTrauma-focusedBehavioral paradigmsSymptom remissionHigh dropout ratesTherapy processTherapy contextProlonged exposurePsychotherapyDropout ratesIncreased patient autonomyResearch literatureDisordersClinical researchFunctional correlates of a novel 8-factor model of PTSD in U.S. military veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study
Stiltner B, Fischer I, Duek O, Polimanti R, Harpaz-Rotem I, Pietrzak R. Functional correlates of a novel 8-factor model of PTSD in U.S. military veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Journal Of Psychiatric Research 2024, 171: 69-74. PMID: 38244335, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.01.017.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsModels of posttraumatic stress disorderPosttraumatic stress disorderNational Health and ResilienceU.S. military veteransArousal symptomsSuicidal ideationVeterans StudyCurrent depressionSymptom clustersMilitary veteransPosttraumatic stress disorder symptom clustersPosttraumatic stress disorder symptomsPosttraumatic Stress Disorder ChecklistAnxious arousal symptomsDysphoric arousal symptomsIntrusive symptom clustersOdds of suicidal ideationFunctional correlatesMulti-faceted disorderExternalizing behavioral symptomsAssociated with lower oddsAssociated with higher oddsSymptom structureAvoidance symptomsDSM-5
2023
Neural patterns differentiate traumatic from sad autobiographical memories in PTSD
Perl O, Duek O, Kulkarni K, Gordon C, Krystal J, Levy I, Harpaz-Rotem I, Schiller D. Neural patterns differentiate traumatic from sad autobiographical memories in PTSD. Nature Neuroscience 2023, 26: 2226-2236. PMID: 38036701, DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01483-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPost-traumatic stress disorderTraumatic memoriesAutobiographical memoryNeural patternsIntersubject representational similarity analysisSimilar neural representationsRepresentational similarity analysisPosterior cingulate cortexTrauma memoriesMnemonic featuresNegative memoriesMultivoxel patternsNeural representationCognitive stateHippocampal representationsCognitive entitiesStress disorderCingulate cortexNeural activityTraumatic narrativesIndividual symptom severitySemantic representationMemory typesOwn memoryMemoryEvaluating a novel 8-factor dimensional model of PTSD in U.S. military veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study
Stiltner B, Fischer I, Duek O, Polimanti R, Harpaz-Rotem I, Pietrzak R. Evaluating a novel 8-factor dimensional model of PTSD in U.S. military veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Journal Of Affective Disorders 2023, 346: 303-307. PMID: 37979626, DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.11.041.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental DisordersEmotionsFactor Analysis, StatisticalHumansStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticVeteransConceptsIndex traumaPTSD symptomsNational HealthPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomsVeterans StudyMilitary veteransTrauma-exposed populationsClinician-administered interviewU.S. military veteransConfirmatory factor analysisDSM-5 modelStrong significant associationTrauma exposureIntrusive symptomsDisorder symptomsCombat exposureHigh riskU.S. veteransDSM-5Significant associationSymptomsInterpersonal violenceFactor analysisPTSDScarce researchNot all traumas are created equal: Phenotypic heterogeneity of PTSD symptoms in relation to index traumas in U.S. military veterans
Kachadourian L, Duek O, Tsai J, Harpaz-Rotem I, Pietrzak R. Not all traumas are created equal: Phenotypic heterogeneity of PTSD symptoms in relation to index traumas in U.S. military veterans. Journal Of Affective Disorders 2023, 340: 728-731. PMID: 37572698, PMCID: PMC10754253, DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.08.012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderU.S. military veteransMilitary veteransIndex traumaPTSD symptomsDysphoric arousal symptomsIllness/injuryGreater overall severityIndex traumatic eventClinical presentationNational HealthDiagnostic criteriaTreatment approachesGreater severityOverall severityVeterans StudyInterpersonal violenceStress disorderTraumaArousal symptomsSymptomsVeteransPhenotypic heterogeneityTraumatic eventsSeverityCorrelates of avoidance coping in trauma-exposed U.S. military veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study
Korem N, Ben-Zion Z, Spiller T, Duek O, Harpaz-Rotem I, Pietrzak R. Correlates of avoidance coping in trauma-exposed U.S. military veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Journal Of Affective Disorders 2023, 339: 89-97. PMID: 37437721, DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.036.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdaptation, PsychologicalEmotionsHumansRisk FactorsStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticVeteransConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderAvoidance copingTraumatic eventsU.S. military veteransEmotional stabilityNegative affect symptomsEmotional neglectSexual abuseAffect symptomsMilitary veteransAvoidant coping strategiesGreater emotional stabilityPhysical health outcomesPsychosocial risk factorsConsolidated memoryStress disorderCoping strategiesAdverse childhood experiencesStressful experiencesCopingVeterans StudyChildhood experiencesStrong feelingsNetwork analytic approachConscientiousnessLong term structural and functional neural changes following a single infusion of Ketamine in PTSD
Duek O, Korem N, Li Y, Kelmendi B, Amen S, Gordon C, Milne M, Krystal J, Levy I, Harpaz-Rotem I. Long term structural and functional neural changes following a single infusion of Ketamine in PTSD. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023, 48: 1648-1658. PMID: 37270621, PMCID: PMC10517133, DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01606-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsExtinction, PsychologicalHumansKetamineMidazolamPilot ProjectsPsychotherapyStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticConceptsKetamine recipientsSingle infusionMain study outcomeTiming of administrationEnd of treatmentNMDA receptor antagonistFunctional neural changesFrequency of administrationSignificant clinical implicationsTrauma-focused psychotherapyBrief exposure therapyAmygdala-vmPFC connectivityPost-retrieval extinctionKetamine doseKetamine administrationReceptor antagonistTrauma scriptsNeural changesClinical implicationsDecreased connectivityExposure therapyKetamineTrauma memoriesStudy outcomesUncinate fasciculusAmygdala downregulation training using fMRI neurofeedback in post-traumatic stress disorder: a randomized, double-blind trial
Zhao Z, Duek O, Seidemann R, Gordon C, Walsh C, Romaker E, Koller W, Horvath M, Awasthi J, Wang Y, O’Brien E, Fichtenholtz H, Hampson M, Harpaz-Rotem I. Amygdala downregulation training using fMRI neurofeedback in post-traumatic stress disorder: a randomized, double-blind trial. Translational Psychiatry 2023, 13: 177. PMID: 37230984, PMCID: PMC10209552, DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02467-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAmygdalaDown-RegulationHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingNeurofeedbackStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticConceptsPost-traumatic stress disorderControl groupAmygdala activityPTSD treatmentDouble-blind clinical trialStress disorderDouble-blind trialSecondary outcome measurementsTrauma recallNeurofeedback trainingGreater improvementAmygdala controlsPotential clinical applicationsSymptom scoresActive groupClinical trialsTreatment successOutcome measurementsTrauma scriptsSymptom reductionNeurofeedback interventionPTSD symptomsFMRI neurofeedbackAmygdalaNeural markersClinical significance of novel 8-factor model of DSM-5 PTSD in national VA PTSD residential treatment data: Internally- v. externally-cued intrusions
Gross G, Spiller T, Duek O, Pietrzak R, Harpaz-Rotem I. Clinical significance of novel 8-factor model of DSM-5 PTSD in national VA PTSD residential treatment data: Internally- v. externally-cued intrusions. Journal Of Affective Disorders 2023, 328: 255-260. PMID: 36806596, DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.02.046.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsClinical RelevanceCross-Sectional StudiesCuesDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental DisordersHumansResidential TreatmentStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticUnited StatesConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderPTSD symptomsDysphoric arousalDSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorderDSM-5 PTSD symptomsDistinct underlying processesSelf-report measuresGeneralized anxiety symptomsSuperior model fitPhysical health functioningCore defining featuresStructural equation modelingWorse emotional functioningAnxious arousalSymptoms of depressionNegative affectIntrusion symptomsGreater avoidanceEmotional functioningStress disorderAnxiety symptomsPTSD ChecklistIntrusion factorCross-sectional designGeneralized anxiety
2022
Distinguishing emotional numbing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder from major depressive disorder
Duek O, Seidemann R, Pietrzak R, Harpaz-Rotem I. Distinguishing emotional numbing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder from major depressive disorder. Journal Of Affective Disorders 2022, 324: 294-299. PMID: 36586605, DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.12.105.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAffectCognitionDepressive Disorder, MajorEmotionsHumansStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticConceptsEmotional numbing symptomsPosttraumatic stress disorderNumbing symptomsEmotional numbingStress disorderSymptom clustersTrauma-exposed individualsGreater PTSD severityMajor depressive disorderContext of traumaUnique variancePTSD symptomsPTSD phenotypePTSD severityDifferent symptom clustersWorse treatment outcomesDepressive disorderCore aspectsNumbingDistinct contributionsMDD symptomsDSM-IIIFunctional impairmentDisordersTreatment outcomesLongitudinal volumetric evaluation of hippocampus and amygdala subregions in recent trauma survivors
Ben-Zion Z, Korem N, Spiller TR, Duek O, Keynan JN, Admon R, Harpaz-Rotem I, Liberzon I, Shalev AY, Hendler T. Longitudinal volumetric evaluation of hippocampus and amygdala subregions in recent trauma survivors. Molecular Psychiatry 2022, 28: 657-667. PMID: 36280750, PMCID: PMC9918676, DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01842-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAmygdalaBayes TheoremFemaleHippocampusHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticSurvivorsYoung AdultConceptsEmergency departmentAmygdala subregionsPTSD diagnosisGeneral hospital emergency departmentLeft amygdala volumeHospital emergency departmentRight hippocampus volumeCA1 hippocampal subregionRecent trauma survivorsTrauma survivorsCivilian trauma survivorsED admissionEligible participantsHippocampus volumeAmygdala volumeHippocampal subregionsVulnerability traitsDisorder pathogenesisClinical InterviewModerate evidenceHippocampus subregionsTrauma exposureStructural MRIRobust evidenceLower initial volumeComparative effectiveness of group v. individual trauma-focused treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder in veterans
Spiller TR, Duek O, Buta E, Gross G, Smith NB, Harpaz-Rotem I. Comparative effectiveness of group v. individual trauma-focused treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder in veterans. Psychological Medicine 2022, 53: 4561-4568. PMID: 35959560, PMCID: PMC10388318, DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722001441.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAftercareCognitive Behavioral TherapyFemaleHumansMiddle AgedPatient DischargeRetrospective StudiesStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticTreatment OutcomeVeteransConceptsGroup cognitive processing therapyCognitive processing therapyPosttraumatic stress disorderIndividual cognitive processing therapyPTSD symptom severitySymptom severityStress disorderReal-world effectivenessComparative effectiveness studiesResidential treatmentEffective treatmentComparative effectivenessVeterans AffairsEffectiveness studiesPTSD ChecklistPTSD severityGroup therapySeverityVeteransTreatmentDSM-5Group V.TherapyDisordersSmall reductionEmotional numbing in PTSD is associated with lower amygdala reactivity to pain
Korem N, Duek O, Ben-Zion Z, Kaczkurkin AN, Lissek S, Orederu T, Schiller D, Harpaz-Rotem I, Levy I. Emotional numbing in PTSD is associated with lower amygdala reactivity to pain. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022, 47: 1913-1921. PMID: 35945274, PMCID: PMC9485255, DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01405-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderAmygdala reactivityLower amygdala reactivityHigher pain responseLower amygdala activationAltered pain perceptionAmygdala activationProcessing of painAmygdala responseEmotional numbingPain correlateMild painPain processingPain thresholdPain responsePain perceptionPainControl groupPTSD groupStress disorderRobust reductionAmygdala activityCombat controlsAmygdalaEmotional numbing symptomsExploration of a Novel Model of Intrusive Symptoms in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among US Veterans
Duek O, Spiller TR, Rubenstein A, Pietrzak RH, Harpaz-Rotem I. Exploration of a Novel Model of Intrusive Symptoms in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among US Veterans. JAMA Network Open 2022, 5: e223555. PMID: 35311966, PMCID: PMC8938717, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.3555.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2020
Network analysis of PTSD and depressive symptoms in 158,139 treatment‐seeking veterans with PTSD
Duek O, Spiller TR, Pietrzak RH, Fried EI, Harpaz‐Rotem I. Network analysis of PTSD and depressive symptoms in 158,139 treatment‐seeking veterans with PTSD. Depression And Anxiety 2020, 38: 554-562. PMID: 33190348, DOI: 10.1002/da.23112.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCross-Sectional StudiesDepressionDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental DisordersHumansStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticVeteransEarly discontinuation of pharmacotherapy in U.S. veterans diagnosed with PTSD and the role of psychotherapy
Duek O, Pietrzak RH, Petrakis I, Hoff R, Harpaz-Rotem I. Early discontinuation of pharmacotherapy in U.S. veterans diagnosed with PTSD and the role of psychotherapy. Journal Of Psychiatric Research 2020, 132: 167-173. PMID: 33126010, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.10.005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsHumansPsychotherapyPsychotropic DrugsStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticUnited StatesUnited States Department of Veterans AffairsVeteransConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderRisk factorsEarly discontinuationMedication discontinuationPsychotropic medicationsPoor medication adherenceSimilar risk factorsStrong risk factorDeterminants of discontinuationKey risk factorsRole of psychotherapySingle medicationMedication adherenceMedication treatmentPsychiatric comorbidityAntipsychotic medicationPatient educationDiscontinuationOlder veteransMedicationsAdjunctive psychotherapyYounger veteransEarly interventionU.S. veteransVA treatment