Many survivors of the 2015 Paris terror attacks were left with “compromised” brain functions due to post-traumatic stress disorder, a study has found.
Scientists who measured the brain activity of more than 100 survivors of the November 2015 massacre said many could no longer suppress traumatic memories as well as before. Some people's PTSD improved within three years of the attacks, while others continued to suffer from chronic stress.
MRI scans revealed changes in the brain's memory control circuits. Some survivors of the ISIS attack, in which 130 people were killed, experienced “intrusive memories” during a task in which they were supposed to block images out of their minds.
Those memories typically involve “intense and uncontrollable negative emotions, such as fear and sadness, profound distress, and the sensation that the traumatic event is happening again”, according to the study published on Wednesday by scientists in France and Switzerland.
Parisians witnessed violence spread across the French capital on the night of November 13, 2015, as gunmen opened fire at the Bataclan concert hall and in bars and restaurants. A bomb was also detonated at the Stade de France during Europe's worst terrorist attack in more than a decade.
Salah Abdeslam, the only known surviving gunman, described himself in court as an “ISIS soldier” during a trial which ended in a life sentence on murder and terrorism charges. Nineteen other people were found guilty over preparations for the attack.
Survivors who testified in court gave harrowing accounts of how they “played dead” for hours to avoid being shot by the terrorists. One who suffered permanent injuries told of his struggle with “survivor's guilt” and with images that continued to haunt him from the attack.
A total of 114 survivors took part in the brain study, about half of whom were diagnosed with PTSD and the rest classed as “resilient”. A year after the attacks, members of the first group “exhibited compromised brain dynamics, failing to distinguish between intrusive and non-intrusive conditions”.
Survivors were tested again two years later, by which point about 20 people's post-traumatic stress had gone into remission but more than 30 others were still suffering from chronic PTSD. “Notably, participants with PTSD in remission had a rebalancing of their memory control mechanisms within two years”, scientists said.
All those taking part in the study were French, aged between 18 and 60 and had no history of psychiatric or memory problems. Compared to a control group of people not exposed to the Paris violence they showed an “imbalance” in their ability to control intrusive memories.
The results demonstrate “the major role of the memory control mechanisms to the persistence of traumatic memory in PTSD”, the authors believe. They said their study could pave the way for new treatments to make survivors of traumatic events more resilient.
France separately marked 10 years on Tuesday since the shooting at the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. The gunmen, who claimed to represent Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, said they were taking revenge for cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.
The study, Plasticity of human resilience mechanisms by Giovanne Leone et al, is published in the journal Science Advances on Wednesday.
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Omania, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 1,600m
Winner: Brehaan, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Craving, Connor Beasley, Simon Crisford
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Winner: Rmmas, Tadhg O’Shea, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
Winner: Dahess D’Arabie, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Fertile De Croate, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel
Recipe
Garlicky shrimp in olive oil
Gambas Al Ajillo
Preparation time: 5 to 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
180ml extra virgin olive oil; 4 to 5 large cloves of garlic, minced or pureed (or 3 to 4 garlic scapes, roughly chopped); 1 or 2 small hot red chillies, dried (or ¼ teaspoon dried red chilli flakes); 400g raw prawns, deveined, heads removed and tails left intact; a generous splash of sweet chilli vinegar; sea salt flakes for seasoning; a small handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Method
▶ Heat the oil in a terracotta dish or frying pan. Once the oil is sizzling hot, add the garlic and chilli, stirring continuously for about 10 seconds until golden and aromatic.
▶ Add a splash of sweet chilli vinegar and as it vigorously simmers, releasing perfumed aromas, add the prawns and cook, stirring a few times.
▶ Once the prawns turn pink, after 1 or 2 minutes of cooking, remove from the heat and season with sea salt flakes.
▶ Once the prawns are cool enough to eat, scatter with parsley and serve with small forks or toothpicks as the perfect sharing starter. Finish off with crusty bread to soak up all that flavour-infused olive oil.
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
