Further thoughts on the neurobiology of EMDR: The role of the cerebellum in accelerated information processing.

Abstract

This discussion explores, briefly, the position that the repetitive redirecting of attention in EMDR is capable of turning on the brain's REM sleep system, leading to the activation of specific areas of the the anterior cortex of the cingulate gyrus, facilitating its function as a filter, thereby facilitating the integration of traumatic memory into general semantic networks. This integration is seen to lead to the subsequent reduction in both the strength of hippocampally mediated episodic memories of the traumatic event as well as the amygdaloid mediated negative affect of PTSD. The possibility is suggested that another underlying mechanisms of EMDR stimulation is the activation of the lateral cerebellum. The contribution of the cerebellum to cognitive and language functions is explored. The activation of the dentate nuclei in the lateral neocerebellum is shown to facilitate activation of the ventrolateral and central lateral thalamic nuclei. The activation of the ventrolateral nucleus is shown to lead to the activation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; further facilitating the integration of traumatic memory into general semantic and other neocortical networks.

Reversing Reciprocal Suppression in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex: A Hypothetical Model to Explain EMDR Effectiveness

“…Third, it is best if stimulation modalities can be compared after a previous session of practice has suffi ciently habituated any novelty effects. These aspects of research design will probably be necessary to control for novelty and distraction to see if alternating bilateral stimulation provides additional therapeutic benefi t as suggested by Bergmann (1998Bergmann ( , 2000, Stickgold (2002), and Rasolkhani- Kalhorn and Harper (2006).…”

“…Bergmann (1998) and Stickgold (2002) suggest that the orienting of eye movements may activate REM sleep like neurological mechanisms that involve ponto-geniculo-occipital (PGO) waves as well as hyperassociation. Bergmann (2000) goes on to propose the possible additional infl uence of the lateral cerebellum during EMDR. He hypothesizes that the cerebellum may project its infl uence through the thalamus to promote the ACC's fi ltering function, thereby allowing the dorsolateral cortex to integrate semantic and other neocortical information into the traumatic memory.…”

Numerical Distraction Therapy: Initial Assessment of a Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

“…When this occurs, traumatic memories may become integrated into general semantic networks. Bergmann (2000) expands on this hypothesis by ascribing a role in the process to the cerebellum, suggesting that it facilitates the integration of traumatic recollections into semantic and other cortical networks. Kavanaugh, Freese, Andrade & May (2001), on the other hand, suggest that EMDR's efficacy may lie in its ability to disrupt working memory.…”

Diseño a doble ciego y el uso de placebos psicológicos en investigación de resultados en psicoterapia: Es posible? Un estudio piloto de viabilidad

“…En cuanto a la objeción (c): por un lado, según los autores que discuten el papel jugado por la estimulación bilateral alternada, el protocolo de EMDR es similar a la terapia de exposición (Bergman, 2000;Lee et al, 2006;Spector, 2007). Según este punto de vista, al suministrar el placebo, en principio, se le estaría suministrando al participante un protocolo similar a la terapia de exposición, terapia que cuenta con suficiente evidencia empírica.…”

“…Si se demostrara que tal estimulación no cumple algún papel terapéutico, el EMDR quedaría reducido a una variante de la Terapia de Exposición (Bergman, 2000;Lee, Taylor & Drummond, 2006;Spector, 2007). Algunas de las investigaciones realizadas hasta el momento postulan diversos efectos del movimiento ocular en las memorias visuales (Stickgold, 2002;Christman, Garvey, Propper & Phaneuf, 2003).…”