Memories of attachment hamper EEG cortical connectivity in dissociative patients

Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2014 Aug;264(5):449-58. doi: 10.1007/s00406-013-0461-9.

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated cortical connectivity modifications by electroencephalography (EEG) lagged coherence analysis, in subjects with dissociative disorders and in controls, after retrieval of attachment memories. We asked thirteen patients with dissociative disorders and thirteen age- and sex-matched healthy controls to retrieve personal attachment-related autobiographical memories through adult attachment interviews (AAI). EEG was recorded in the closed eyes resting state before and after the AAI. EEG lagged coherence before and after AAI was compared in all subjects. In the control group, memories of attachment promoted a widespread increase in EEG connectivity, in particular in the high-frequency EEG bands. Compared to controls, dissociative patients did not show an increase in EEG connectivity after the AAI. Conclusions: These results shed light on the neurophysiology of the disintegrative effect of retrieval of traumatic attachment memories in dissociative patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Waves / physiology*
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiopathology*
  • Dissociative Disorders / complications*
  • Dissociative Disorders / pathology*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory Disorders / diagnosis
  • Memory Disorders / etiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Spectrum Analysis
  • Young Adult