Psychoanalyse und neurowissenschaften: Neurobiologische veränderungsprozesse bei psychoanalytischen behandlungen von depressiven patienten

The neural effects of psychotherapeutic interventions are poorly investigated and understood compared to the neural effects of pharmacological treatments. However, there are 14 studies to date examining the functional neuroanatomy of psychotherapy. Most studies focused on cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal therapy and short-time-therapy settings. Neurobiological studies on the effect of psychoanalytic psychotherapy and long-term treatments are still missing. The Hanse-Neuro-Psychoanalysis-Study tries to fill this gap by investigating patients with a chronic depressive disorder, treated in a psychoanalysis using functional magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalogram. Patients are studied over 15 months at different stages of their treatment. We suggest a neurobiological paradigm designed to assess unconscious cognitive-affective processes by using valid measures to assess individual unconscious central conflicts (Operationolized Psychodynamic Diagnostics) and individual attachment representations (Adult Attachment Projective).