Ongoing projects

Imaging fantasy Partner(s): Brain Mind Institute - LPSY (EPFL) Start date : 2011 End date: -

This project aims at exploring, by the means of cerebral imagery technics (fMRI and EEG), the neurobiological bases of fantasmatic life depending on the analyst's and patient's perspectives.

EEG on the couch Partner(s): Brain Mind Institute - LNCO (EPFL) Start date : 2012 End date: -

The goal of this project is to record cerebral electrical activity associated with the psychoanalytic interaction. We aim at identifying empathic, theory of mind processing and cerebral synchronization phases.
This project represents the clinical part of the "Music and brain in unconscious waves" project.

Reconsolidation and somatic markers Partner(s): - Start date : 2012 End date: -

Plasticity and reconsolidation mechanisms show that memory traces are constantly subject to remodeling. In this project, we evaluate the influence of emotions on memory traces’ reorganization.

Frontal lobe systems, brain development and plasticity Partner(s): - Start date : 2011 End date: -

Frontal Lobe Syndrome is very seldom described in children. Extremely rare are the clinical studies that prospectively trace the evolution of the frontal systems throughout the developmental age. The aim of this project is to analyze a paediatric case of acquired extensive bilateral lesions which has been prospectively documented from childhood to adulthood. It will be referred to the contemporary debate about brain development and plasticity.

Motion and unconsciousness Partner(s): Artanim Foundation Start date : 2013 End date: -

In this project, we empirically study specific factors that affect joint action tasks and/or social interaction performed by two people. To this aim, we use motion capture to obtain measurements at the behavioral level (body posture, gestures, etc.) and to identify motor synchronization phases.

Parents' representations and signification of surplus frozen embryos Partner(s): - Start date : 2012 End date: 2013

The new law on assisted reproduction (LPMA), entered into force in 2001, sets a maximum preservation duration of frozen embryos (zygotes): after five years, couples must decide whether they want to use their embryos for a pregnancy or dispose of them. One year prior to the deadline for decision, the research team met nine couples whose embryos were cryopreserved, in two interviews aimed at accompanying them in their decision. The analysis of their discourse reactivated in-depth questionings for these couples, and shed light on complex representations of frozen embryos.
This study was undertaken by Dominique Laufer (child psychiatrist) and Véronique Mauron (visual art historian), in the framework of a research conducted by François Ansermet (child psychiatrist and psychoanalyst) and Marc Germond (gynecologist) in the context of assisted reproduction technologies (ART). A book on the issue is in the writing, which will report the essential considerations in the discourses and the findings of the research, under the working title: Voyage en zygotie. Le devenir des embryons cryoconservés.