Traumatismes et traces : données expérimentales

Abstract

BackgroundsWhether traumatic events and history enhance the risk of later psychopathology is no longer controversial since early description of posttraumatic stress disorder by psychoanalysts after World War I. However, whether the best model is the so-called vulnerability one (meaning genetically predetermined development) or the probabilistic epigenetic one (meaning that trauma can impact biological levels in a permanent manner as well) is still debated. ObjectiveTo critically review the literature to explore supporting data on how “trauma gets under the skin” leaving measurable consequences at a biological and/or psychological level. MethodsI critically reviewed the literature and selected studies investigating impact of early trauma (e.g. severe deprivation, maltreatment and/or abuse) at biological and/or psychological levels. I will also summarize experimental data from recent work of the Salpétrière group focusing on the impact of traumatic experience on early interaction or psychoanalytic listening. ResultsThere is now a consistent amount of data supporting the probabilistic epigenetic model of development. We found studies showing how traumatic experience can impact development from: (1) animal models of early separation; (2) human longitudinal studies controlling for confounding variables such as genetic ones; (3) human studies with different neurobiological correlates (e.g. neuro-imaging data; electro-encephalographic parameters; epigenetic markers). Furthermore, we were able to show in three different experiments that: (1) psychoanalysts are able to identify, without explicit knowledge and above the level of chance, healthy adults whose siblings had experienced cancer during childhood; (2) false positive ultrasound screening for soft markers may impact mother-infant interaction negatively; (3) caregivers of infants who will later develop autism adapt their interaction dynamic unconsciously before being aware of child psychopathology. ConclusionTrauma should not anymore be regarded only as an “outside” event as impact can be evidenced at biological levels that have long lasting effects during development and even in next generations.