Mindfulness, Interoception, and Olfaction: A Network Approach

International audienceThe fine-tuned interplay between the brain and the body underlies the adaptive ability to respond appropriately in the changing environment. Mindfulness Disposition (MD) has been associated with efficient emotional functioning because of a better ability to feel engaged by information from the body and to notice subtle changes. This interoceptive ability is considered to shape the ability to respond to external stimuli, especially olfaction. However, few studies have evaluated the relationships between interoception and exteroception according to MD. We conducted an exploratory study among 76 healthy subjects for first investigating whether MD is associated with better exteroception and second for describing the causal interactions network between mindfulness, interoception, emotion, and subjective and objective olfaction assessments. Results found that a high level of MD defined by clustering exhibited best scores in positive emotions, interoception, and extra sensors' acuity. The causal network approach showed that the interactions between the interoception subscales differed according to the MD profiles. Moreover, interoception awareness is strongly connected with both the MD and the hedonic value of odors. Then, differences according to MD might provide arguments for a more mindful attention style toward interoceptive cues in relation to available exteroceptive information. This interaction might underlie positive health

Peritraumatic physical symptoms and the clinical trajectory of PTSD after a terrorist attack: a network model approach

International audienceIntroduction: Following a mass casualty event, such as the Paris terrorist attacks of 13 November 2015, first responders need to identify individuals at risk of PTSD. Physical peritraumatic symptoms involving the autonomic nervous system may be useful in this task.Objective: We sought to determine the trajectory of physical response intensity in individuals exposed to the Paris terrorist attacks using repeated measures, and to examine its associations with PTSD. Using network modelling, we examined whether peritraumatic physical symptom associations differed by PTSD status.Methods: Physical reactions were assessed using the Subjective Physical Reactions Scale at three time points: peritraumatic by retrospective recall, then current at one year (8–18 months) and three years (30–42 months) after the attacks. Interaction networks between peritraumatic physical reactions were compared according to PTSD status.Results: On the one hand, the reported intensity of physical reactions was significantly higher in the PTSD group at all time points. On the other hand, using the dynamic approach, more robust positive interactions between peritraumatic physical reactions were found in the PTSD group one and three years after the attacks. Negative interactions were found in the no-PTSD group at one year. Peritraumatic physical numbness was found to be the most central network symptom in the PTSD group, whereas it was least central in the no-PTSD group.Discussion: Network analysis of the interaction between peritraumatic physical subjective responses, particularly physical numbness, may provide insight into the clinical course of PTSD. Our knowledge of the brain regions involved in dissociation supports the hypothesis that the periaqueductal grey may contribute to the process leading to physical numbing.Conclusions: Our findings highlight the role of peritraumatic somatic symptoms in the course of PTSD. Peritraumatic physical numbness appears to be a key marker of PTSD and its identification may help to improve early triage.HIGHLIGHTSPhysical numbness was found to be a central symptom in people developing PTSD in our study examining peritraumatic physical symptoms related to the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks

Differences in predictive factors for post-traumatic stress disorder encompassing partial PTSD and full PTSD: a cross-sectional study among individuals exposed to the November 13, 2015 Paris attacks

International audienceBackground When faced with a surge of physically injured individuals, especially following a traumatic event like an attack, frontline practitioners prioritize early triage. Detecting potential psychological injuries soon after such events remains challenging. Some individuals might develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) according to DSM-V criteria. Others may exhibit PTSD symptoms without meeting full diagnostic criteria, termed partial or sub-syndromal PTSD, a less-explored area in literature. This study aims to identify predictive factors for both full and partial PTSD. Method In a cohort of victims of the 2015 Paris attacks, multinomial logistic regressions explored predictive factors for partial or full PTSD status 8 to 18 months post-attacks. Analyses considered pre, peri, and posttraumatic factors chosen from literature review and univariate analysis within each group. Results Within the cohort, 50 individuals showed no signs of PTSD, 35 experienced partial PTSD, and 30 presented with full PTSD. After logistic regression, risk factors associated with full PTSD included a history of trauma (OR = 1.30, CI [1.02-1.66], p < 0.05), the intensity of peri-traumatic physical reactions (OR = 1.22, CI [1.09-1.36], p < 0.001), the difficulties in suppressing intrusive thoughts (OR = 1.11, CI [1.02-1.21], p < 0.013). Only the intensity of peri-traumatic physical reactions emerged as a risk factor for partial PTSD (OR = 1.13, [CI 1.02-1.24], p < 0.001). Discussion This study revealed that a history of trauma, the intensity of peri-traumatic physical reactions (e.g., tachycardia, trembling, flushes, numbness.), and the difficulties in suppressing intrusive thoughts constitute risk factors for the development of full PTSD. Moreover, the study identified that only the intensity of peri-traumatic physical reactions emerged as a risk factor for partial PTSD. These findings seem to underscore the significance of peri-traumatic experiences in influencing the development of post-traumatic stress symptoms. Conclusion This study emphasizes the significance of examining peri-traumatic reactions in PTSD development, suggesting its potential as a straightforward screening tool for post-traumatic stress disorder. It also underscores the influence of prior traumatic experiences, before de novo traumatization, in shaping vulnerability to PTSD and illuminates the crucial role of compromised control of intrusive thoughts that could perpetuate PTSD

Peritraumatic physical symptoms and the clinical trajectory of PTSD after a terrorist attack: a network model approach

Introduction: Following a mass casualty event, such as the Paris terrorist attacks of 13 November 2015, first responders need to identify individuals at risk of PTSD. Physical peritraumatic symptoms involving the autonomic nervous system may be useful in this task. Objective: We sought to determine the trajectory of physical response intensity in individuals exposed to the Paris terrorist attacks using repeated measures, and to examine its associations with PTSD. Using network modelling, we examined whether peritraumatic physical symptom associations differed by PTSD status. Methods: Physical reactions were assessed using the Subjective Physical Reactions Scale at three time points: peritraumatic by retrospective recall, then current at one year (8–18 months) and three years (30–42 months) after the attacks. Interaction networks between peritraumatic physical reactions were compared according to PTSD status. Results: On the one hand, the reported intensity of physical reactions was significantly higher in the PTSD group at all time points. On the other hand, using the dynamic approach, more robust positive interactions between peritraumatic physical reactions were found in the PTSD group one and three years after the attacks. Negative interactions were found in the no-PTSD group at one year. Peritraumatic physical numbness was found to be the most central network symptom in the PTSD group, whereas it was least central in the no-PTSD group. Discussion: Network analysis of the interaction between peritraumatic physical subjective responses, particularly physical numbness, may provide insight into the clinical course of PTSD. Our knowledge of the brain regions involved in dissociation supports the hypothesis that the periaqueductal grey may contribute to the process leading to physical numbing. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the role of peritraumatic somatic symptoms in the course of PTSD. Peritraumatic physical numbness appears to be a key marker of PTSD and its identification may help to improve early triage. Physical numbness was found to be a central symptom in people developing PTSD in our study examining peritraumatic physical symptoms related to the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks. Physical numbness was found to be a central symptom in people developing PTSD in our study examining peritraumatic physical symptoms related to the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks.</p

Can the detection dog alert on COVID-19 positive persons by sniffing axillary sweat samples? A proof-of-concept study.

The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to evaluate if trained dogs could discriminate between sweat samples from symptomatic COVID-19 positive individuals (SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive) and those from asymptomatic COVID-19 negative individuals. The study was conducted at 2 sites (Paris, France, and Beirut, Lebanon), followed the same training and testing protocols, and involved six detection dogs (three explosive detection dogs, one search and rescue dog, and two colon cancer detection dogs). A total of 177 individuals were recruited for the study (95 symptomatic COVID-19 positive and 82 asymptomatic COVID-19 negative individuals) from five hospitals, and one underarm sweat sample per individual was collected. The dog training sessions lasted between one and three weeks. Once trained, the dog had to mark the COVID-19 positive sample randomly placed behind one of three or four olfactory cones (the other cones contained at least one COVID-19 negative sample and between zero and two mocks). During the testing session, a COVID-19 positive sample could be used up to a maximum of three times for one dog. The dog and its handler were both blinded to the COVID-positive sample location. The success rate per dog (i.e., the number of correct indications divided by the number of trials) ranged from 76% to 100%. The lower bound of the 95% confidence interval of the estimated success rate was most of the time higher than the success rate obtained by chance after removing the number of mocks from calculations. These results provide some evidence that detection dogs may be able to discriminate between sweat samples from symptomatic COVID-19 individuals and those from asymptomatic COVID-19 negative individuals. However, due to the limitations of this proof-of-concept study (including using some COVID-19 samples more than once and potential confounding biases), these results must be confirmed in validation studies