Good read
The Body Keeps the Score
by Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD.
Dr. Kolk describes the psycho-physiologic effects of trauma witnessed from his clinical trauma-focused psychiatric experience, as evidenced by the fMRI revolution. Most notably, both the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the thalamus notably disengage during fMRI trauma reenactments.
His research examines re-exposure effects of trauma as indifferent to the original event. A product of our reptilian brain, fight or flight responses are categorized as latent evidence of a post-traumatic event, which, the recreation event replicates the original responses as experienced during the actual event.
Research suggests that during trauma re-enactment, there is a thalamus sensory interruption rendering complete absence of neurological activity, in conjunction with an overwhelming absence—again, a complete absence of neurological activity—in the DLPFC region controlling executive functioning of working memory, reasoning, and cognitive flexibility for persons with prior history of trauma.
Dr. Kolk's contributions to research of differentiated CD45RO to CD45RA ratios, or immune memory cells, suggests victims of trauma have a higher if not complete domination of RA to RO markers. RA conversion is a chemical inscription process initiated by trauma posing as available blueprints for future perceived threats. This research has propelled subsequent immunologic correlation studies, suggesting trauma as a key pathological source.
An academic, notable clinician, and remarkable scientist, a must-read for any person interested in the autonomic response of trauma. A proponent of theoretical approaches of EMDR and adjacent clinical treatment philosophies, in addition, Dr. Kolk is an advocate of holistic activities from Yoga, breathing exercises, and simple routines of cardiovascular training.