Case in Research
REACT and RESET: Research on depression and childhood trauma at the Spinoza Centre
Childhood trauma can have a severe and long-lasting impact on mental health. Approximately 1 in 4 patients with depression has experienced childhood trauma, and those patients often show earlier onset, more severe symptoms and worse treatment outcomes. With three ongoing studies using the 3T MRI scanner at the Spinoza Centre, the research group of prof. Christiaan Vinkers aims to investigate the impact of childhood trauma in adults with major depressive disorder and explore new treatment options.
The REACT study
In the REACT study, Jasmin Pasteuning investigates the impact of childhood trauma on the brain. By conducting functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans, she will compare three different groups: adults with depression with and without a history of childhood trauma and healthy adults.
The RESET studies
In the RESET-medication and RESET-psychotherapy studies, Caroline Broeder, Felix Linsen and Anouk Gathier investigate new treatment options that target childhood trauma in adulthood. By addressing childhood trauma, they aim to ‘reset’ the stress system and alleviate depressive symptoms. For this, they conduct fMRI-scans before and after treatment to uncover its effects in the brain.
For more information, visit the websites of the REACT study and the RESET studies.