Characterization of Olfactory Perception in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Conditions
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Interventions
- Behavioral: European Test of Olfactory Capabilities (ETOC)Behavioral: Standardized Hedonicity TestBehavioral: QuestionnairesBehavioral: Odor / trauma association questionnaire
- Registration Number
- NCT06494306
- Lead Sponsor
- Hospices Civils de Lyon
- Brief Summary
The core symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) include flash backs, intrusive pictures and thoughts related to the traumatic event, hyperalertness, avoidance of traumatic relevant environmental triggers and emotional dysregulation. Some studies suggest that PTSD is also associated with impaired olfactory perception, which seems quite intuitive regarding the close anatomical-functional connections between olfactory and emotional circuits. Furthermore, some studies reported that olfactory stimuli can trigger flashbacks in subjects with PTSD. However, up to know available data is scarce and heterogeneous concerning that topic. The goal of the study is to determine the olfactory phenotype of subjects with PTSD. More precisely, this project aims at filling the above mentioned gap by systematically assessing the olfactory perception of subjects with PTSD along five dimensions: olfactory identity, hedonic value, familiarity, desirability and edibility. As a secondary goal, the relative weight of olfaction compared to the other senses in the relived memories of subjects with PTSD will be assessed.
The investigators here hypothesize a global impairment in olfactory processing (intensity, hedonicity, familiarity and edibility judgments) in PTSD subjects, compared with healthy subjects.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- NOT_YET_RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 40
- Age between 18 to 50
- Subjects with PTSD
- Patients with a neurological history such as stroke, head trauma (e.g. exposure to explosions, sports injury...), neurodegenerative disease...
- Any psychiatric condition except PTSD and major depressive disorder
- Current or recent use of psychotropic drugs that may affect olfactory function.
- Any current or remitted addictive disorder.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding women
Study & Design
- Study Type
- OBSERVATIONAL
- Study Design
- Not specified
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Patients with PTSD Standardized Hedonicity Test They are outpatients receiving psychological and medical treatment in the clinical department connected to the inclusion site Control group European Test of Olfactory Capabilities (ETOC) Data from subjects without PTSD included in a previous study Patients with PTSD Odor / trauma association questionnaire They are outpatients receiving psychological and medical treatment in the clinical department connected to the inclusion site Patients with PTSD European Test of Olfactory Capabilities (ETOC) They are outpatients receiving psychological and medical treatment in the clinical department connected to the inclusion site Patients with PTSD Questionnaires They are outpatients receiving psychological and medical treatment in the clinical department connected to the inclusion site Control group Standardized Hedonicity Test Data from subjects without PTSD included in a previous study
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Standardized Hedonicity Test score at inclusion Results obtained in patients will be compared to those obtained in control group
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Effects of potential moderators on odor judgement at inclusion Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to determine the effect of different moderators (age, gender, type of trauma, time elapsed since trauma, type of treatment received, symptom intensity) on olfactory perception
Evaluation of emotional valence of memories evoked by certain odors. at inclusion Language analysis: Use of Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques to assess the emotional valence of odor-evoked memories and recurrent themes in oral responses concerning evoked memories. Analysis of the association of trauma-related odors with the 5 senses
Evaluation of sensory impressions of memories evoked by certain odors. at inclusion Sensory impressions: Nature and frequency of sensory descriptions associated with odor-evoked memories
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regional Center for Psychotrauma
🇫🇷Lyon, France