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Item Affiliative stimuli as primers to prosocial predispositions.(2012) Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal de; Pereira, Mirtes Garcia; Vila, Jaime; Oliveira, Letícia de; Volchan, ElianeAffiliative stimuli are pleasant and highly biologically relevant. Affiliative cues are thought to elicit a prosocial predisposition. Here affiliative and neutral pictures were exposed prior to a reaction time task which consisted in responding to a visual target. Half the participants responded with finger-flexion, a movement frequently involved in prosocial activities. The other half responded with finger extension, a less prosocially compatible movement. Results showed that under the exposure to affiliative pictures, as compared to neutral ones, participants who used finger flexion were faster, while those using finger extension were slower. Performance benefits to the task, when flexing the finger, together with performance costs, when extending it, indicate the relevance of movement compatibility to the context. These findings put forward a possible link between affiliative primers and motor preparation to facilitate a repertoire of movements related to prosocial predispositions including finger flexion.Item Alta sintomatologia depressiva reduz as reações emocionais diante de estímulos de interação social.(2022) Lacerda, Kíssyla Christine Duarte; Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal de; Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal de; Meireles, Adriana Lúcia; Volchan, Eliane; David, Isabel de Paula Antunes; Nogueira, Katiane de Oliveira Pinto CoelhoAs interações sociais são inerentes a nossa espécie e representaram fator crucial para a evolução humana. Ainda hoje a sociabilidade tem impacto na a saúde física e mental, onde o sentimento de solidão é fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de doenças tanto físicas quanto mentais, dentre elas, destaca-se o transtorno depressivo. Já é elucidado que indivíduos depressivos apresentam expressões faciais distintas de indivíduos não depressivos. Uma vez que as expressões faciais representam um fator determinante para que as interações sociais se estabeleçam, estas diferenças podem estar relacionadas com o alto nível de solidão presente na população depressiva. Além disso, indivíduos depressivos exibem atividade muscular facial distinta ao visualizarem fotografias com diferentes níveis de valência e ativação emocional, entretanto, ainda não existem investigações utilizando estímulos pareados para a valência e ativação. Dessa forma, este trabalho se propõe a investigar se fotos com pistas de interação social, pareadas para valência e ativação, modulam as reações emocionais em indivíduos com sintomas depressivos e em indivíduos saudáveis, e se a re-exposição das imagens após um período de 10 semanas (TEMPO 2) permaneceria exercendo os mesmos efeitos observados na primeira exposição (TEMPO 1), caso estes efeitos ocorressem. A amostra foi composta por 85 individuos, divididos de acordo com seus escores no Inventário de Depressão de Beck. Voluntários com pontuação superior a 21 pontos foram incluídos no grupo depressivo (n=16) e os demais alocados no grupo saudável (n=69). Os participantes tiveram seus níveis de depressão, solidão, ansiedade, empatia e toque social avaliados por meio de escalas. Em seguida, visualizaram três blocos de imagens (28 imagens cada), contendo imagens neutras (objetos), afiliativas (pessoas realizando interação social direta) e controles (pessoas não realizando interação social direta). A atividade eletromiográfica do músculo zigomático maior (ZIG) e corrugador do supercílio (COR) foi coletada durante todo o período de visualização dos blocos. Após cada bloco de imagens, os voluntários responderam a escala de estado afiliativo e escala de comportamento altruísta. Todas as análises foram repetidas após um período de 10 semanas. No TEMPO 1, em indivíduos saudáveis, as imagens afiliativas aumentaram a atividade ZIG e os escores nas escalas de expectativa de aproximação e altruísmo, e reduziram a atividade do COR em comparação com as imagens neutras e controle. Entretanto, estes efeitos não foram observados em indivíduos depressivos. No TEMPO 2, as imagens afiliativas permaneceram exercendo modulação sobre o ZIG e sobre a expectativa de aproximação no grupo saudável, porém sem efeitos sobre o COR. Novamente, as fotos afiliativas não provocaram nenhum efeito nos indivíduos depressivos. Podemos concluir que indivíduos depressivos são hiporresponsivos às pistas de interação social, refletindo em baixa expressividade facial, sociabilidade e altruísmo. Além disso, a reexposição de imagens com interação social permanece exercendo seus efeitos sobre a resposta emocional de indivíduos saudáveis após 10 semanas, porém sem efeitos nos depressivos. Este trabalho nos indica que a depressão leva a responsividade emocional reduzida diante do contexto de interação social, o que pode impactar consideravelmente as interações sociais de indivíduos depressivos e o curso de desenvolvimento do transtorno.Item Associação da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca com parâmetros antropométricos e fisiológicos em professores da Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto.(2018) Rosário, Nacha Samadi Andrade; Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal de; Pinto, Kelerson Mauro de Castro; Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal de; Silva, André Talvani Pedrosa da; Volchan, ElianeO presente estudo objetivou avaliar se o estresse psicológico, as variáveis antropométricas e clínicas influenciam a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC) em repouso de professores. Participaram 80 professores universitários, de ambos os sexos, que tiveram os seguintes parâmetros coletados: 1) antropometria: massa corporal, estatura, índice de massa corporal (IMC), circunferência da cintura (CC), relação cintura quadril (RCQ) e percentual de gordura corporal (%G); 2) Estresse: inventário de sintomas de estresse para adultos de Lipp, estresse no trabalho (demanda, controle e apoio social) e escala de eventos vitais; 3) Variáveis clínicas: pressão arterial sistólica (PAS), diastólica (PAD) e frequência cardíaca de repouso (FCrep); 4) Componentes parassimpáticos da VFC: Raiz quadrada da média dos quadrados das diferenças entre os intervalos RR (RMSSD), número de diferenças sucessivas entre os intervalos RR que são >50ms (NN50) e alta frequência (HF). Foram gerados quatro componentes principais (CPs) que representou 68,39% da variação total dos dados. O CP1 englobou IMC, CC, RCQ, PAS e PAD e foi denominado componente de boa regulação cardíaca. O CP2 englobou eventos vitais, sintomas de estresse em 24 horas, uma semana e um mês, sendo denominado componente de sintomas reduzidos de estresse. O CP3 incluiu demanda e apoio social e foi nomeado componente de condições laborais favoráveis. O CP4 foi composto pelo controle e FCrep, sendo denominado componente de descontrole laboral e fisiológico. Modelos de regressão usaram cada CP como variável independente e cada parâmetro da VFC como variável dependente. Os resultados mostraram que o RMSSD associou-se positivamente com o CP2. O NN50 associou-se positivamente com o CP2 e negativamente com o CP3. O HF associou-se negativamente com o CP3 e CP4. Concluímos que os parâmetros parassimpáticos da VFC associaram-se de forma positiva com os componentes dos sintomas reduzidos de estresse e de forma negativa com os componentes de condições laborais favoráveis e descontrole laboral e fisiológico. Esses componentes parecem, portanto, serem os mais relacionados à atividade parassimpática cardíaca dos professores, e dessa forma, merecem maior destaque em pesquisas futuras.Item Decreased self-reported receiving of social touch and social support predict loneliness in healthy adults.(2022) Araújo, Cássia Regina Vieira; Mota, Bruna Eugênia Ferreira; Campagnoli, Rafaela Ramos; Rego, Vanessa da Rocha; Volchan, Eliane; Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal deLoneliness has emerged as a public health concern. Previous research has reported its deleterious efects on physical and mental health; however, some specifc psychophysiological mechanisms in healthy adults remain to be eluci‑ dated. The aim of the current study is to investigate whether self-reported social support and social touch (giving and receiving social touch), as well as resting heart rate variability (HRV), are signifcant negative predictors of loneliness in healthy adults. The study sample consists of 120 healthy students (50% female) with a mean age of 21.85 years old (DP= 2.21). The students were asked to complete a psychiatric screening questionnaire utilizing loneliness, social support, and social touch scales. HRV was derived from an electrocardiographic signal recorded for 15 min, with the participant relaxed in a supine position. Linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate loneliness as a func‑ tion of social support, social touch (giving or receiving touch), and resting HRV. The results show that social support (p< 0.001) and social touch, specifcally receiving touch (p< 0.002), accounted for a signifcant proportion of the vari‑ ance in loneliness. However, neither giving touch nor resting HRV was a signifcant predictor of loneliness. The current study highlights specifc psychosocial factors in healthy adults that should be considered as promising pathways in order to reduce or work toward preventing loneliness, thus promoting better health and well-being.Item Efeito do treinamento com biofeedback cardiorrespiratório em idosos institucionalizados e não institucionalizados.(2022) Souza, Perciliany Martins de; Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal de; Bearzoti, Eduardo; Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal de; Bearzoti, Eduardo; Marmora, Claudia Helena Cerqueira; Volchan, Eliane; Silva, Fernanda Cacilda dos Santos; Oliveira, Lenice Kappes BeckerO treinamento com biofeedback cardiorrespiratório tem sido usado como uma ferramenta para melhorar o funcionamento fisiológico e emocional em adultos jovens, embora haja poucos estudos com a população idosa. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito do treinamento com biofeedback cardiorrespiratório em parâmetros fisiológicos e emocionais em idosos institucionalizados e não institucionalizados. Participaram 32 idosos de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 65 e 80 anos, sendo 16 institucionalizados e 16 não institucionalizado, tendo metade deles feito um treinamento com biofeedback cardiorrespiratório e a outra metade um treinamento controle. Ambos os treinamentos ocorreram 3 vezes por semana, com 15 minutos de duração, totalizando 14 sessões. Imediatamente antes e após o treinamento e 4,5 semanas depois da última sessão (follow up), foram avaliados: condicionamento aeróbico, antropometria, medidas emocionais (escalas de depressão, solidão e toque social) e fisiológicas (Variabilidade da Frequência Cardíaca-VFC). Em cada uma das 14 sessões de treinamento foi registrado o estado de afeto positivo e negativo e a VFC (essa antes, durante e pós a sessão). Os resultados mostraram que antes do treinamento os idosos institucionalizados apresentaram maiores valores de solidão (p<0,01) e depressão (p<0,0001) e menores valores de toque social (p<0,0001), massa corporal (p=0,04) e percentual de gordura (p=0,002) em relação aos idosos não institucionalizados. O treinamento com biofeedback promoveu melhora nos sintomas de depressão para ambos os grupos (institucionalizados, p=0,002; não institucionalizados, p=0,003); a VFC melhorou apenas no grupo não institucionalizado (RMSSD, SDNN, pNN50, SD1 p<0,05); e a solidão melhorou apenas para o grupo institucionalizado (p=0,03). Todos os parâmetros modificados pelo biofeedback perduraram após o follow up. Considerando as sessões 1, 7 e 14 notou-se que o treinamento com biofeedback foi capaz de promover uma tendência de modificações no afeto positivo (institucionalizados p=0,08, não institucionalizados p=0,96) e no afeto negativo (institucionalizados, p=0,24; não institucionalizados, p≥0,99), e aumento de alguns componentes da VFC dos idosos não institucionalizados (RMSSD, SDNN, SD1 p<0,05). Por fim, constatou-se que para o grupo não institucionalizado que realizou o treinamento com biofeedback, houve uma interação entre o afeto positivo e a VFC, onde o aumento no afeto positivo provocou um aumento nos componentes da VFC (RMSSD, SDNN, pNN50, SD1 p<0,05). Conclui-se que o treinamento com biofeedback cardiorrespiratório foi eficiente em melhorar os sintomas de depressão em idosos de ambos os grupos, e que outros fatores foram também modificados, mas dependeram da condição de institucionalização ou não. As modificações se mantiveram no follow up, demonstrando a efetividade do treinamento. O treinamento com biofeedback não foi capaz de provocar mudanças no afeto positivo, mas aumentou a VFC dos idosos não institucionalizados e, além disso, neste grupo o aumento no afeto positivo provocou aumento nos componentes da VFC.Item Exposure to stressful events during a peacekeeping mission may have a price : the impact on trait of negative and positive affect and mental health.(2018) Álvares, Roberta Sônia Rodrigues; Souza, Ana Carolina Ferraz Mendonça de; Duarte, Antônio Fernando Araujo; Gameiro, Thaís Medeiros; Fischer, Nastassja Lopes; Souza, Wanderson Fernandes; Coutinho, Evandro da Silva Freire; Figueira, Ivan Luiz de Vasconcellos; Volchan, Eliane; Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal deWe evaluated the participants’ negative affect, positive affect, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression symptoms before and after a peacekeeping mission. Depression symptoms and positive affect after mission were significantly associated with exposure to stressful events during the mission, controlled by the respective characteristics before mission. Negative affect and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms after mission had a tendency to be associated with exposure to stressful events during the mission, controlled by the respective characteristics before mission. In conclusion, even in healthy and physically active male peacekeepers, those more exposed to stressful events could be more vulnerable to present negative outcomes.Item Exposure to trauma-relevant pictures is associated with tachycardia in victims who had experienced an intense peritraumatic defensive response : the tonic immobility.(2014) Alves, Rita de Cassia Silva; Portugal, Liana Catarina Lima; Fernandes Junior, Orlando; Mocaiber, Izabela; Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal de; David, Isabel de Paula Antunes; Volchan, Eliane; Oliveira, Letícia de; Pereira, Mirtes GarciaTonic immobility is an involuntary, last-ditch defensive reaction characterized by physical inactivity in a context of inescapable threat that has been described in many species, including humans. The occurrence of this defensive response is a predictor of the severity of psychiatric disorders and may be considered as an index of an intense reaction to a traumatic event. Here, we investigated whether the retrospective reports of peritraumatic tonic immobility reaction in participants exposed to a traumatic event would modify their cardiac responses to pictures related to their trauma. Using a questionnaire of life-threating events, we selected students who experienced violent crime as their most intense trauma and students who had never experienced a violent crime trauma, but experienced other traumatic events. All participants completed a questionnaire that estimated the intensity of tonic immobility during their most intense trauma. Electrocardiographic recordings were collected during exposure to pictures. Participants viewed emotional pictures (human attack with guns) and neutral pictures. These emotional stimuli were selected to be trauma-relevant to the violent crime group and non trauma-relevant to the no violent crime trauma group. Violent crime group showed a positive correlation between heart rate changes after viewing trauma-related pictures and tonic immobility scores. We observed that low tonic immobility scores were associated with bradycardia and high scores with tachycardia in response to trauma-relevant pictures. For the no violent crime group, no significant correlation was detected. These results suggest that the relevance of the stimuli and the magnitude of the defensive response during a previous trauma event were important factors triggering more intense defensive responses.Item Immobility reactions under threat : a contribution to human defensive cascade and PTSD.(2017) Volchan, Eliane; Rego, Vanessa da Rocha; Campos, Aline Furtado Bastos; Oliveira, José Magalhães de; Franklin, Camila Martins; Gleiser, Sonia; Berger, William; Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal de; Oliveira, Letícia de; David, Isabel de Paula Antunes; Erthal, Fátima Cristina Smith; Fortes, Mirtes Garcia Pereira; Figueira, Ivan Luiz de VasconcellosViolence exacts a burden on public health. Gun violence is a major trigger for motor defensive reactions in humans and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is its main psychiatric sequela. However, studies of the human defensive cascade, especially the motor reactions, are at an early stage. This review focuses on studies that employ stabilometry, a methodology that assesses whole body motor reactions, to address defensive behaviors to violence-related threats. Special attention is given to three reactions: “attentive immobility”, “immobility under attack” and “tonic immobility”, with emphasis on the latter – a peritraumatic reaction which has been strongly associated with the severity of PTSD. These reactions are characterized by reduced body sway and bradycardia, except tonic immobility that presents robust tachycardia. The advances made by investigations into the immobility reactions of the human defensive cascade contribute to helping to bridge the gap between human and non-human species. Furthermore, progresses in basic research to objectively monitor motor defensive reactions under threat can help to develop a dimensional, trans-diagnostic approach to PTSD.Item Impact of cognitive-behavior therapy on resilience-related neurobiological factors.(2011) Norte, Carlos Eduardo; Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal de; Pedrozo, Ana Lúcia; Souza, Ana Carolina Ferraz Mendonça de; Figueira, Ivan Luiz de Vasconcellos; Volchan, Eliane; Ventura, Paula RuiA resiliência, como uma variável de desfecho, tem sido largamente negligenciada no campo terapêutico. Nosso objetivo foi investigar os efeitos da terapia cognitivo-comportamental (TCC) nos marcadores neurobiológicos de resiliência em pacientes com transtorno de estresse pós-traumático (TEPT). Nesta pesquisa experimental de caso único, foram acessadas variáveis fisiológicas (frequência cardíaca, frequência respiratória, tônus vagal cardíaco, balanço simpático e condutância da pele) e neuroendócrinas (cortisol e de-hidroepiandrosterona – DHEA) e medidas psicométricas de autorrelato (afeto negativo, resiliência, sintomas de TEPT, depressão, ansiedade e apoio social). Foram medidas as respostas fisiológicas, neuroendócrinas e psicométricas em repouso antes e após quatro meses de TCC. O paciente era um homem de 45 anos que sofreu dois assaltos com arma de fogo e não respondeu adequadamente ao tratamento farmacológico com paroxetina. A TCC levou a uma redução da frequência cardíaca, frequência respiratória, balanço simpático, condutância da pele e cortisol, bem como a um aumento no tônus vagal e DHEA. Além disso, a TCC promoveu redução na pontuação dos sintomas de TEPT, depressão, ansiedade e afeto negativo e aumento da pontuação de resiliência e apoio social. Nossos dados sugerem que a TCC aumenta os fatores relacionados à resiliência (DHEA, tônus vagal, autorrelato de resiliência e apoio social). Isso não é somente “antipatológico”, mas também pode ser considerado “pró-bem-estar”. Adicionalmente, nossos resultados mostram a relevância da investigação dos efeitos do tratamento psicológico em múltiplos sistemas neurobiológicos no mesmo paciente com TEPT, visando desvendar as bases neurobiológicas dos fatores de resiliência.Item Is there tonic immobility in humans? Biological evidence from victims of traumatic stress.(2011) Volchan, Eliane; Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal de; Franklin, Camila Martins; Norte, Carlos Eduardo; Rego, Vanessa da Rocha; Oliveira, José Magalhães de; David, Isabel de Paula Antunes; Mendlowicz, Mauro Vítor; Coutinho, Evandro da Silva Freire; Fiszman, Adriana; Berger, William; Portela, Carla Marques; Figueira, Ivan Luiz de VasconcellosTonic immobility, characterized by profound motor inhibition, is elicited under inescapable threat in many species. To fully support the existence of tonic immobility in humans, our aim was to elicit this reaction in a laboratory setting and measure it objectively. To mimic exposure to life-threatening events in the lab, trauma-exposed participants with PTSD (n = 18) and without PTSD (n = 15) listened to the script of their autobiographical trauma. Posturography and electrocardiography were employed. Reports of script-induced immobility were associated with restricted area of body sway and were correlated with accelerated heart rate and diminished heart rate variability, implying that tonic immobility is preserved in humans as an involuntary defensive strategy. Immobility reports seemed more evident in PTSD, suggesting that, in some patients, tonic immobility may be elicited during re-experiencing episodes in daily life. This study provided a measure of tonic immobility, a peritraumatic reaction for which cumulative clinical evidence had linked to the severity of PTSD.Item Long‑term benefts of heart rate variability biofeedback training in older adults with diferent levels of social interaction : a pilot study.(2022) Souza, Perciliany Martins de; Souza, Miriam de Cássia; Diniz, Luiza Araújo; Araújo, Cássia Regina Vieira; Lopez, Mariana; Volchan, Eliane; Fernandes Junior, Orlando; Sanchez, Tiago Arruda; Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal deTo test whether heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback training benefts older adults with diferent social interaction levels. Methods. 32 older adults (16 were institutionalized and 16 were not). Both groups received 14 sessions, 15 min, 3 times a week, with half of the individuals receiving HRV biofeedback training and the other half receiving control training. The following parameters were assessed immediately before and after training, and 4.5 weeks after the last session (follow-up period): aerobic conditioning, anthropometric data, emotional scores, and HRV components. Results. Before the training, the institutionalized individuals had higher scores of loneliness (p< 0.01) and depression (p< 0.0001) and lower social touches (p< 0.0001), body mass (p= 0.04), and body fat percentage (p= 0.002) than the non-institutionalized individuals. HRV biofeedback improved symptoms of depression in both groups. HRV improved only in the non-institutionalized group, and loneliness only in the institutionalized group. Lastly, all changes persisted after the follow-up period. Conclusions. HRV biofeedback training was efective in improving symptoms of depression in older adults. Improvement of HRV and loneliness was dependent on the level of social interaction.Item Pictures of social interaction prompt a sustained increase of the smile expression and induce sociability.(2021) Mota, Bruna Eugênia Ferreira; Rodrigues, Paula Ohana; Lacerda, Kíssyla Christine Duarte; David, Isabel de Paula Antunes; Volchan, Eliane; Campagnoli, Rafaela Ramos; Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal deViewing pictures of social interaction can facilitate approach behaviors. We conducted two studies to investigate if social interaction cues, empathy, and/or social touch modulate facial electromyographic (EMG) reactivity (as evidenced by the zygomaticus major and corrugator supercilii muscles) and mood states. We presented bonding pictures (depicting social interaction) and control pictures (without social interaction) while continuously recording zygomatic and corrugator EMG activities. In both studies, picture blocks were paired by valence and arousal. All participants were college students. In study 1, participants (n= 80, 47 women) read relevant priming texts immediately before viewing each block of 14 pictures. In study 2, participants did not read (n= 82, 63 women) priming texts before each block of 28 pictures. In study 1 and study 2, participants also completed mood states questionnaires to assess sociability and altruistic behavior. Empathy and social touch frequency were also assessed by self-reported questionnaires. In both studies, bonding pictures increased the zygomatic activity and the self-reported sociability feeling compared to control pictures. Only in study 2, bonding pictures decreased median corrugator activity compared to control pictures. We concluded that social interaction cues were efcient to increase sociability and prompt a sustained smile expression regardless of priming texts.Item They know their trauma by heart : an assessment of psychophysiological failure to recover in PTSD.(2013) Norte, Carlos Eduardo; Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal de; Vilete, Liliane; Portella, Carla Marques; Coutinho, Evandro da Silva Freire; Figueira, Ivan Luiz de Vasconcellos; Volchan, ElianeBackground: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops following exposure to a traumatic event and is characterized by persistent intense reactivity to trauma relatedcues. Equally important, butless studied, is the fail uretores to rephysiological home ostasis after these excessive reactions. This study investigates psycho physiological markers of sustained cardiac activity after exposure to reminders of traumatic event in PTSD patients. Methods: Participants passively listened to neutral and personal traumatic event while electrocardio- gram was continuously recorded. Heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) were analyzed in 19 PTSD patients and 16 trauma-exposed controls. Results: Both PTSD patients and trauma exposed controls exhibited a significant increase in HR to the exposure of their personal trauma. PTSD patients sustained the increase of HR while controls recovered to basal levels. In PTSD patients, sustained HR was positively associated with re-experiencing symptoms. The PTSD group also showed a reduced HRV (ameasureof parasympathetic influence on the heart) during personal trauma exposure and lack of recovery. Limitations: The sample size was small and PTSD patients were undermedication. Conclusions: Our findings provide an experimental account of the failure of PTSD patients to exhibit physiological recovery after exposure to trauma-related stimuli. PTSD patients exhibited a sustained tachycardia with attenuation of HRV that persisted even after cessation of the stressor. Re-experiencing symptoms facilitated engagement in the trauma cues, suggesting that, in their daily-life, patients most likely present repeated episodes of sustained over-reactivity, which may underpin the emotional dysregulation characteristic of PTSD.Item Tonic immobility in PTSD : exacerbation of emotional cardiac defense response.(2019) Norte, Carlos Eduardo; Volchan, Eliane; Vila, Jaime; Mata, José Luís; Arbol, Javier Rodriguez; Mendlowicz, Mauro Vítor; Berger, William; Luz, Mariana Pires; Rego, Vanessa da Rocha; Figueira, Ivan Luiz de Vasconcellos; Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal deAmong defensive behaviors, tonic immobility (TI) is considered the last defensive resort when life is at extreme risk. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the main psychiatric consequence resulting from exposure to traumatic events. Increasing evidence indicate an association between peritraumatic tonic immobilility and severity of PTSD. Cardiac defense response, a reactivity to perceived danger or threat, has been studied by recording heart rate changes that follows the presentation of an unpredictable intense auditory aversive stimulus. The aim of this study was to investigate potential distinctiveness in cardiac defense response among PTSD patients who presented – compared to those that did not – TI reaction in the laboratory setting. Patients (N = 17) completed the TI questionnaire for signs of immobility elicited by passive listening to their autobiographical trauma script. After a while, they were exposed to an intense white noise, while electrocardiogram was recorded. The heart rate during the 80 s after the noise, subtracted from baseline, was analyzed. Higher reports of TI to the trauma script were associated with stronger and sustained heart rate accelerations after the noise. The effects on cardiac defense response add to increasing evidence that some PTSD patients are prone to repeated re-experiences of TI, which may implicate in a potentially distinct pathophysiology and even a new PTSD subtype.Item Visuo-motor affective interplay : bonding scenes promote implicit motor pre-dispositions associated with social grooming – a pilot study.(2022) Grichtchouk, Olga; Oliveira, José Magalhães de; Campagnoli, Rafaela Ramos; Franklin, Camila Martins; Correa, Monica Ferreira; Fortes, Mirtes Garcia Pereira; Vargas, Claudia Domingues; David, Isabel de Paula Antunes; Souza, Gabriela Guerra Leal de; Gleiser, Sonia; Keil, Andreas; Rego, Vanessa da Rocha; Volchan, ElianeProximity and interpersonal contact are prominent components of social connection. Giving affective touch to others is fundamental for human bonding. This brief report presents preliminary results from a pilot study. It explores if exposure to bonding scenes impacts the activity of specific muscles related to physical interaction. Fingers flexion is a very important component when performing most actions of affectionate contact. We explored the visuo-motor affective interplay by priming participants with bonding scenes and assessing the electromyographic activity of the fingers flexor muscle, in the absence of any overt movements. Photographs of dyads in social interaction and of the same dyads not interacting were employed. We examined the effects upon the electromyographical activity: (i) during the passive exposure to pictures, and (ii) during picture offset and when expecting the signal to perform a fingers flexion task. Interacting dyads compared to matched non-interacting dyads increased electromyographic activity of the fingers flexor muscle in both contexts. Specific capture of visual bonding cues at the level of visual cortex had been described in the literature. Here we showed that the neural processing of visual bonding cues reaches the fingers flexor muscle. Besides, previous visualization of bonding cues enhanced background electromyographic activity during motor preparation to perform the fingers flexion task, which might reflect a sustained leakage of central motor activity downstream leading to increase in firing of the respective motor neurons. These data suggest, at the effector level, an implicit visuo-motor connection in which social interaction cues evoke intrinsic dispositions toward affectionate social behavior.