Resident Physician MGH/McLean Hospital Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Abstract Dissociation has long been an invisible, yet impactful, force in the field of psychological trauma. The persistent invisibility of dissociation has resulted in an underdeveloped body of neurobiological research, particularly when compared to related conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder. Fortunately, dissociation is becoming more visible thanks to the work of advocates and rigorous scientific inquiry by pioneers in the field. In this presentation, we will review the state of the literature of the neurobiology of dissociation, including advances toward identifying neurobiological biomarkers. We will discuss the clinical implications of this neurobiological knowledge, and finally, highlight avenues of future investigation which will continue to enhance neurobiologically-informed treatment approaches.