In 2004, researchers from our Lab obtained a grant from European Commission for multicentric project „Psychobiology of PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)“, as part of the FP-6 call for scientific projects. Duration of the project 2004-2009.

The project was conducted in research, hospital, and NGO centres in Serbia, Croatia, Holland, Italy, and United Kingdom.
Participating centres were:

  1. International Aid Network – IAN; Institute of Nuclear Sciences – Vinča; Institute of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolic Disease – Endocrinology; Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”- IBRSS; Military Medical Academy – MMA, Belgrade, Serbia;
  2. University Medical Center – UMC, Utrecht, Netherlands;
  3. Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London – QMW, London, United Kingdon;
  4. Psychiatric Clinic, Medical Faculty, University of Rijeka – MFR, Rijeka, Croatia;
  5. Specialisation School of Psychiatry, University of Bari – DSNP, Bari, Italy.

The aim of the project was to understand the biological basis of psychophysiological profiles of the patients with PTSD. Specifically, we were investigating relations between PTSD symptoms, and relevant psychological, biochemical, endocrinological, genetic, physiological, and anthropometric parameters. Study included five groups of respondents: a) individuals with acute PTSD, b) individuals with PTSD in remission (lifetime PTSD), c) individuals with trauma related to war but without PTSD (trauma controls), d) healthy control group from the Western Balkan region, and e) healthy control group from Western Europe. Groups a, b, c, and d were recruited in Belgrade and Rijeka. Group e was recruited in Utrecht and in Bari. Trauma experiences of the respondent from the first three groups were war experiences. Precise criteria for inclusion and exclusion of the participants for the study were specified in advance.

Published papers:
1) Savić, Knežević, Damjanović, Špirić, & Matić, 2012a;
2) Savić, Knežević, Damjanović, Špirić, & Matić, 2012b;
3) Matić, Milutinović, Nestorov, Elaković, Jovanović, Perišić, Dunđerski, Damjanović, Knežević, et al., 2013;
4) Matić, Milutinović, Nestorov, Elaković, Jovanović, Elzaedi, Perišić, Dunđerski, Damjanović, Knežević, et al., 2014;
5) Savić, Knežević, Damjanović, Antić, & Matić, 2014;
6) Savić, Knežević, Matić, Damjanović, & Špirić, 2015.

Currently, we are working on further exploitation of the data and manuscripts preparation.


Our publications within this research line


Živanović, M., & Vukčević Marković, M. (2020). Latent structure of secondary traumatic stress, its precursors, and effects on people working with refugees. Plos one, 15(10), e0241545

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0241545 [HTML]

Vukčević Marković, M., & Živanović, M. (2019). Secondary traumatisation in service providers working with refugees. In A. Hamburger, C. Hancheva, S. Ozcurumez, C. Scher, B. Stanković, & S. Tutnjević (Eds.), Forced Migration and Social Trauma (pp. 237-248). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

Savic, D., Knezevic, G., Matic, G., & Damjanovic, S. (2018).PTSD and depressive symptoms are linked to DHEAS via personality. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 92, 29-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.03.017

Vukčević Marković, M., Momirović, J., & Purić, D. (2016). Adaptation of Harvard Trauma Questionnaire for working with refugees and asylum seekers in Serbia. Psihologija, 49(3), 277–299. doi: 10.2298/PSI1603277V [pdf]

Savić, D., Knežević, G., Matić, G., Damjanović, S. & Špirić, Z. (2015). Posttraumatic and depressive symptoms in β-endorphin dynamics. Journal of Affective Disorders, 181, 61–66. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2015.03.063

Savic, D., Knezevic, G., Damjanovic, S., Antic, J., & Matic, G. (2014). GR gene BclI polymorphysm changes the path, but not the level, of dexamethasone-induced cortisol suppression. Journal of affective disorders, 168, 1-4.

Matić, G., Milutinović, D. V., Nestorov, J., Elaković, I., Jovanović, S. M., Perišić, T., … & Vermetten, E. (2013). Lymphocyte glucocorticoid receptor expression level and hormone-binding properties differ between war trauma-exposed men with and without PTSD. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 43, 238-245. [pdf]

Savic, D., Knezevic, G., Damjanovic, S., Spiric, Z., & Matic, G. (2012). Is there a biological difference between trauma-related depression and PTSD? DST says ‘NO’. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 37(9), 1516-1520. DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2012.02.005

Opačić, G., Knežević, G., Jović, V. & Radović, B. (2010). Concomitants of Repatriation: The Case of Former Yugoslavia. In: H. C. Traue, R. Johler, and J. Jancovic Gavrilovic (Eds.), Migration, Integration, and Health: The Danube Region (pp. 83-97). D-49525 Lengerich: Pabst Science Publishers. (ISBN 978-3-89967-641-9) [pdf]

Spiric, Z., Opacic, G., Jovic, V., Samardzic, R. Knezevic, G., Mandic-Gajic, G., Todorovic, M. (2010). Gender differences in victims of war torture: types of torture and psychological consequences. Vojnosanitetski pregled, 67, 411-418. [pdf]

Priebe, S., Jankovic Gavrilovic, J., Matanov, A., Franciskovic, T., Knezevic, G., Ljubotina, D., Bravo Mehmedbasic, A., & Schützwohl, M. (2010). Treatment Outcomes and Costs at Specialized Centers for the Treatment of PTSD After the War in Former Yugoslavia. Psychiatric Services, 61, 598-604. [pdf]

Priebe, S., Matanov, A., Jankovic-Gavrilovic, J., McCrone, P., Ljubotina, D., Knezevic, G., Kucukalic, A., Franciskovic, T., & Schuetzwohl, M. (2009). Consequences of Untreated Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following War in Former Yugoslavia: Morbidity, Subjective Quality of Life, and Care Costs. Croatian Medical Journal, 50, 465-475.

Knežević, G., Opačić, G., Savić, D. & Priebe, S. (2005). Do personality traits predict post-traumatic stress? – a prospective study in civilians experiencing air attacks. Psychological Medicine, 35, 659-663. [pdf]

Jović, V., Opačić, G., Špeh-Vujadinović, S., Vidaković, I & Knežević, G. (2005). Izbeglice i mentalno zdravlje – implikacije za proces repatrijacije i integracije. U G. Opačić, I. Vidaković i B. Vujadinović (Eds.) Život u posleratnim zajednicama. (pp. 147-179). Beograd: IAN (Međunarodna mreža pomoći) (ISBN 86-83595-09-9).

Savić, D. (2004). About a Mathematical Model of the Psychobiology of Stress Reaction in Torture in war: Consequences and rehabilitation of victims – Yugoslav experience. In Ž. Špirić, G. Knežević, V. Jović, Opačić G. (Eds.). Torture in war: consequences and rehabilitation of victims, Yugoslav experience (pp. 177-185). Centar za rehabilitaciju žrtava torture, International Aid Network: Beograd. (ISBN 86-83595-08-0)

Knežević, G., Jović, V. (2004). SRD-10 – Short Scale for the Assessment of Stress-Related Dissociation Symptomatology. In Ž. Špirić, G. Knežević, V. Jović, Opačić G. (Eds.). Torture in war: consequences and rehabilitation of victims, Yugoslav experience. (pp. 195-207) Centar za rehabilitaciju žrtava torture, International Aid Network: Beograd. (ISBN 86-83595-08-0)

Špirić, Ž., Knežević, G. (2004). The Socio-demographic and Psychiatric Profiles of Clients in the Centre for Rehabilitation of Torture Victims – IAN Belgrade. In Ž. Špirić, G. Knežević, V. Jović, Opačić G. (Eds.). Torture in war: consequences and rehabilitation of victims, Yugoslav experience. (pp. 121-152) Centar za rehabilitaciju žrtava torture, International Aid Network: Beograd. (ISBN 86-83595-08-0).

Knežević, G. (2004). Torture and Dissociation. In Ž. Špirić, G. Knežević, V. Jović, Opačić G. (Eds.). Torture in war: consequences and rehabilitation of victims, Yugoslav experience. (pp. 209-217) Centar za rehabilitaciju žrtava torture, International Aid Network: Beograd. (ISBN 86-83595-08-0)

Opačić, G., Knežević, G. (2004). Change in the Intensity and Frequency of Psychiatric Problems Related to Traumatic Experience after Three Months of Treatment. In Ž. Špirić, G. Knežević, V. Jović, Opačić G. (Eds.). Torture in war: consequences and rehabilitation of victims, Yugoslav experience. (pp. 221-232) Centar za rehabilitaciju žrtava torture, International Aid Network: Beograd. (ISBN 86-83595-08-0)

Gavrilović, J., Lečić-Toševski, D., Dimić, S., Pejović-Milovančević, M., Knežević, G. & Priebe, S. (2003). Coping strategies in civilians during air attacks. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 38, 128-133. [pdf]

Lečić-Toševski, D., Gavrilović, J., Knežević, G. & Priebe, S. (2003). Personality factors and posttraumatic stress: associations in civilians one year after air attacks. Journal of Personality Disorders, 17(6), 535-549. [pdf]

Gavrilović, J., Lečić-Toševski, D., Knežević, G. & Priebe, S. (2002). Predictors of Postraumatic Stress in Civilians 1 Year after Air Attacks: A Study of Yugoslavian Students. Journal of Nervous and Mental Deseases, 190, 257-262. [pdf]

Jović, V., Opačić, G., Knežević G., Tenjović, L., & Lečić-Toševski, D. (2002). War stressors assessment questionnaire – psychometric evaluation. Psychiatry Today, 34, 51-75. [pdf]

Savić, D., Knežević, G. & Opačić, G. (2001). Individual differences in Stress reaction: An Introduction to a Mathematical Model. Psychiatry Today, 32. (ISSN -0350-2538)

Savić, D., Knežević, G. & Opačić, G. (2000). A Mathematical Model of Stress Reaction: Individual differences in Threshold and Duration. Psychobiology 28, 581-592. [pdf]