B-97 the occipital lobe’s involvement in trauma and treatment: A neuropsychological perspective

Explores relationships between the occipital lobe and trauma responses to integrate neuropsychological interventions in treating trauma symptoms.

Article Abstract

“Objective: Emerging research has demonstrated activation of the occipital lobe and visual pathways during the reexperiencing of traumatic events and hypervigilance. Treatments such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing are efficacious among clients seen after traumatic events occur. This poster explores relationships between the occipital lobe and trauma responses to integrate neuropsychological interventions in treating trauma symptoms.

Data Selection: A literature review was conducted of peer review articles from 1999 to 2023 from ResearchGate, Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, Frontiers in Psychology, Journal of EDMR Practice and Research, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Psychological Medicine, European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience and Journal of Anxiety Disorders. Informal analyses were used to identify keywords and themes across articles, including occipital lobe, hypervigilance, EMDR, neuropsychology and PTSD.
Data Synthesis: Brain imaging studies show activation in the amygdala and occipital lobe domains during periods of re-experiencing, and high arousal states akin to hypervigilance, which is consistent with the neurocircuitry model of PTSD. Neurological or neuropsychological interventions that target the visual system may also aid in healing from trauma. Treatments such as EMDR effectively utilize the relationship between the brain and behavior to engage the occipital lobe when addressing trauma-related triggers.
Conclusions: The future of neuropsychological research should further explore the occipital lobe’s role in re-experiencing traumatic events and hypervigilance. This collaboration could determine interventions like sensory integration or other occupational therapy interventions focused on improving the daily functioning of individuals with PTSD. Neurorehabilitation interventions focusing on the occipital lobe could improve treatment outcomes in individuals with PTSD.”

—Description from publisher

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Naylor, C., Tozser, T., Castillo, B., Rinehart, K., Lee, M., & Williams, J. (2023). B-97 the occipital lobe’s involvement in trauma and treatment: A neuropsychological perspective. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 37(7), 1464. https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acad067.303  

 

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Date
October 8, 2023

Creator(s)
Cara Naylor, Timea Tozser, Brandon Castillo

Contributor(s)
Kaitlyn Rinehart, Madeline Lee, Julie WIlliams

Topics
PTSD

Practice & Methods
Neurobiology

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Publisher
Oxford University Press

Rights
Copyright © 2023 The Authors

APA Citation
Naylor, C., Tozser, T., Castillo, B., Rinehart, K., Lee, M., & Williams, J. (2023). B-97 the occipital lobe’s involvement in trauma and treatment: A neuropsychological perspective. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 37(7), 1464. https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acad067.303  

Audience
EMDR Therapists, Other Mental Health Professionals

Language
English

Content Type
Article, Peer-Reviewed

Access Type
External Resource

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