Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews
March 1, 2026
Andrew Laurin, Hugo Bottemanne, Samuel Bulteau et al.
2 citations
A review proposes that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) involves disrupted body awareness, specifically the sense of body ownership and sense of agency, which current models overlook. Using predictive processing theory, it distinguishes two PTSD subtypes. In non-dissociative PTSD, hyperprecise trauma-related prior beliefs and heightened interoceptive signals (due to amygdala and anterior insula hyperactivity) produce rigid self-representations, with cognitive processing ranked as prior, interoception, then exteroception. In the dissociative subtype, emotional over-inhibition and anterior insula hypoactivity weaken priors and interoception, while exteroception dominates (exteroception, interoception, prior). Sense of agency impairments are specific to the dissociative subtype, linked to angular gyrus hyperactivity and glutamate hypofunction. The framework suggests a dimensional model of body consciousness disruption across the PTSD spectrum and discusses therapeutic implications for top-down and bottom-up interventions.
European journal of psychotraumatology
December 1, 2026
Maud Rothärmel, Lila Mekaoui, François Kazour et al.
1 citation
In a retrospective study of 22 adults with treatment-resistant depression and comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder who received esketamine nasal spray, trauma re-experiencing episodes occurred during treatment sessions. For 16 patients (72.7%) these episodes disappeared as sessions progressed. Treatment was stopped for 6 patients (27.3%) due to re-experiencing. Among those who continued esketamine, depression response rate was 45.5% and remission 22.7%; PTSD improvement rate was 45.5% and remission 18.2%. The findings suggest esketamine can be safely administered in this comorbid population and that trauma re-experiencing does not prevent clinical improvement.
EClinicalMedicine
April 2, 2026
Antony Salamé, Samuel Bulteau, Gabriel Robert et al.
A single 60-minute inhalation of 50% nitrous oxide (N2O) significantly reduced depressive symptoms in older adults (aged 60–90) with late-life depression who had not responded to at least one adequate antidepressant trial. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with 60 participants, those receiving N2O showed a greater reduction in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores at two weeks compared to placebo (−6.2 points; 95% CI: −9.1 to −3.4). Improvements were rapid, appearing within 24 hours and persisting at one week. All adverse events were mild and transient. The findings suggest N2O may be a safe and effective rapid-acting treatment for this difficult-to-treat population, though further studies are needed to confirm long-term efficacy and safety.
Molecular psychiatry
September 1, 2023
Thomas Desmidt, Paul-Armand Dujardin, Frédéric Andersson et al.
A single one-hour session of a 50:50 nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture (EMONO) rapidly alters functional connectivity in the default mode network and increases brain tissue pulsations in depressed women who respond to the treatment. Among 20 women with treatment-resistant depression, 45% showed at least a 50% reduction in depression scores one week after exposure. Responders exhibited decreased connectivity between the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex and the precuneus, and a larger early increase in brain tissue pulsations, which may enhance drug delivery. Non-responders and healthy controls showed different connectivity changes. The findings suggest potential cerebral mechanisms and markers for antidepressant response to nitrous oxide.