On some neurobiological aspects of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

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Baeva AS, Abramov SV. [On some neurobiological aspects of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)]. Rossiiskii psikhiatricheskii zhurnal [Russian Journal of Psychiatry]. 2025;(5):56-68. Russian

Abstract

In this scientific review, in order to study modern neurobiological mechanisms of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, an analysis of scientific medical publications by Russian and foreign authors in the bibliographic databases PubMed, Google Academy, Science Direct, RSCI was carried out. The review discusses various models of adaptive information processing, disruptions in the functioning of this system, and the role in the formation of post-traumatic stress disorder. Data on the effect of EMDR on the functional and bioelectric activity of the brain are presented. The role of the hippocampus as an integrating structure in providing memory mechanisms is noted. A hypothetical model of the effects of EMDR at the epigenetic and neurochemical levels is presented and the need to develop a multidimensional model of adaptive information processing is discussed.

Keywords eye movement desensitization and reprocessing; psychotherapy; neurobiology; epigenetics; REM sleep; theta rhythm; hippocampus

References

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