Evaluation of an Intensive Inpatient Psychotherapy Treatment for Severely and Early Traumatized Children (MOSES)

Severe adversity and trauma in early childhood have been associated with a highly increased risk for a variety of psychiatric disorders, lasting into adulthood. This increased risk is accompanied by a set of biological changes ranging from changes in cortical thickness to endocrinological changes. At a behavioral level, children with complex PTSD (developmental trauma disorder) show severe and long-lasting negative effects. Such children exhibit a wide range of symptoms: affect dysregulation, attention difficulties, impairment in interpersonal relationships, aggressive and dissociative behaviour, disturbances of cognition. Corresponding alterations in neural networking and brain development are well studied. Although evidence-based treatment approaches for children with non-complex PTSD exist, complex-traumatized children have no well-evaluated treatments. Furthermore, early intervention can prevent the chronification and exacerbation of symptoms and promote social adaptation and participation.The following topics will be addressed: (1) brain development (Multimodal MRI (mMRI) including anatomical (T1-MPRAGE, T2-FLAIR, DTI-Diffusion Tensor Imaging) and functional MRI measurements (resting-state functional MRI, task fMRI (presenting affective pictures according to the International Affective Picture System, IAPS), EEG); (2) alterations in neuroendocrinological systems involved in stress regulation (Cortisol, Oxytocin, Vasopressin); (3) behavioral symptoms; (4) cognitive functioning; (5) attachment representations of children and their primary caregivers;