Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences · THU Minds Club · Academic Lecture
Social neuroscience of PTSD and depression - translational research to inform trauma-focussed interventions
TIME: 2025-04-24, 13:30-15:00
LOCATION: Lv Dalong Building 1100
SPEAKER: Anke Karl, University of Exeter, UK
INVITRT: Jing Qian
Speaker Profile:
Professor Karl is Director of the MDC Biobehavioural Lab at the Mood Disorders Centre of the University of Exeter. Her research focuses on biobehavioural underpinnings of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and recovery from psychological trauma. Professor Karl's research focuses on using neuroscience methods (EEG/ERP/psychophysiology and fMRI) for understanding biobehavioural underpinnings of PTSD and recovery, as well as in translational clinical research on biopsychological processes and mechanisms.
Report Summary:
Early interpersonal trauma has been associated with PTSD and recurrent depression, detrimental mental health conditions that are notoriously difficult to address through pharmacological and psychological interventions. At the core of PTSD and depression following early/interpersonal trauma are high levels of self-criticism and shame, difficulties in emotion regulation and interpersonal difficulties. Therefore, using a social neuroscience perspective can help understanding these maintenance mechanisms to help refine existing interventions. This talk will summarise a programme of translational research that has studied specific biopsychosocial mechanism using EEG, fMRI and heart rate variability associated with better recovery from trauma and comorbid PTSD and depression that have informed the development of a new group therapy.
