Abstract
Description: Several studies have shown that rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep plays an essential role in the processing of emotions (Wassing et al., 2016). Research suggests that restless REM sleep reflects a process that impedes overnight resolution of emotional distress (Wassing et al. 2019). This finding is relevant when evaluating the effect that REM sleep fragmentation has in a population with severe emotional dysregulation problems, such as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Particularly, as it has been shown that there is an association between subjective sleep disturbance and recovery status among BPD patients (Plante et al., 2013).
This research project aims to investigate the effect that fragmented REM has on the down regulation of emotional distress in a clinical exploratory study of patients with severe emotion dysregulation, in particular borderline personality disorder. The methods of this research will include polysomnography, psychometric testing and additional (neuro)biological measures.
This project will involve literature search, preparation of a doctoral thesis, contribution to research and teaching at CAPRI (Universiteit Antwerpen) en SINAPS (UPC Duffel. Coordination, management and quality assurance of the project, as well as the management of the contact with the participants and clinical health care staff of the involved hospitals (UPC Duffel and KARUS Gent). Active participation in the development of a plan for further implementation and distribution of the results of the project as well as the publication of scientific articles related to the research project of the assignment.
The studies derived from this PhD appointment will be conducted in the Universiteit Antwerpen at the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine. Research will be conducted at the Collaborative Antwerp Research Institute (CAPRI) (https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/research-groups/capri/) in combination with the Scientific Initiative for Neuropsychiatric and Psychopharmacological Studies (SINAPS) in Duffel (https://www.sinapsduffel.com/ ). Research participants recruitment will be conducted at the UPC Duffel Hospital (https://www.pz-duffel.be/ ) and the KARUS Gent Hospital (https://www.karus.be/t).
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