Sleep's Influence on the Treatment of Intrusive Emotional

Intrusive memories represent a debilitating core feature of PTSD, one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders following trauma. Exposure therapy is amongst the most successful treatments of PTSD that is recommended by most of the current national and international guidelines. However, not all patients benefit equally and only about 50% show sustained response. There is thus room for improvement in terms of (i) better understanding who benefits from this type of therapy and (ii) possible ways of augmenting existing trauma-focused therapies. The current study aims to contribute to these endevours. Specifically, the study aims to test whether sleep as adjunct to written exposure sessions, a type of exposure- based treatment for PTSD, may boost the effectiveness of the therapy.

Inclusion criteria

• DSM V criteria of PTSD (at least moderate symptoms in two categories)
• Currently receiving Written Exposure Therapy at one of the psychotherapy centers at the Psychiatric University Clinic (PUC).
• Not more than moderate alcohol consumption (not more than 5 alcoholic drinks/week).
• Ability to understand the study instructions

Exclusion criteria

• Travel over > 3 time zones in < 3 months
• head injury
• shift work
• current substance abuse
• neurological disease
• drug addiction
• Current suicidality

Specific exclusion criteria for the fMRI:

• Acute psychotic symptoms
• Pregnancy
• Claustrophobia
• Magnetic resonance imaging incompatibility:
• Cardiac pacemaker or other metallic implants (e.g. metallic cardiac valve, insulin pump)
• Metallic foreign particles (e.g. after bullet wound, shell splinter, clips, metal prostheses)