Psoriasis and emotional response following treatment (PsERT)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Psoriasis and emotional response following treatment (PsERT)- a functional magnetic resonance imaging study
IRAS ID
168790
Contact name
Susan F Moschogianis
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 1 months, 31 days
Research summary
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterised by patches of red, flaky skin. Poorly recognised by health professionals and the wider public alike, it is much more than a simple skin condition and can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. It is estimated that 2% of the population suffer from psoriasis, and the major physical and psychological morbidity of this incurable disease places great demands on the National Health Service (NHS).
Given the visibility of their condition, patients with psoriasis often report adverse reactions from others - including the expression of disgust. Our group were the first to use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a brain imaging technique, to show that psoriasis patients process the facial expressions of disgust of others differently to healthy controls.
What is unclear is the underlying mechanism behind this change, and whether it is reversible with effective treatment of psoriasis. This study will ascertain in 30 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis, treated with the medication ciclosporin, whether clinical improvement of skin lesions changes the way they process the emotion disgust. Participants will undergo fMRI and neuropsychological testing (questionnaires and laptop based tasks) before and after treatment. The results of this study will help inform future investigations into emotional responses and skin disease, and will assist doctors to make treatment decisions for those who have chronic visible skin conditions.REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0476
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jun 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion