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| Research article summary (published 30 Jul 2002): |
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Neuroimaging findings in post-traumatic stress disorder. Systematic review.
Full Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Findings from neuroimaging studies complement our understanding of the wide-ranging neurobiological changes in trauma survivors who develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
AIMS:
To determine whether neuroimaging studies had identified structural and functional changes specific to PTSD.
METHOD:
A review of all functional and structural neuroimaging studies of subjects with PTSD was carried out. Studies were identified using general medical and specific traumatic stress databases and paper searches of current contents and other secondary sources.
RESULTS:
The most replicated structural finding is hippocampal volume reduction, which may limit the proper evaluation and categorisation of experience. Replicated localised functional changes include increased activation of the amygdala after symptom provocation (which may reflect its role in emotional memory) and decreased activity of Broca's area at the same time (which may explain the difficulty patients have in labelling their experiences).
CONCLUSIONS:
Evidence from neuroimaging studies has suggested areas of the brain that may be damaged by psychological trauma. The clinical implications of these neuroimaging findings need to be investigated further because they challenge traditional therapeutic approaches.
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Author information
Author/s: Hull, Alastair M (AM);
Affiliation: Department of Mental Health and Aberdeen Centre for Trauma Research, University of Aberdeen, UK. alhul(-atsign-)aol.com
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article; Review
Journal: The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science (Br J Psychiatry), published in England. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2002-Aug; vol 181 (issue ) : pp 102-10
Dates: Created 2002/08/01; Completed 2002/10/04; Revised 2004/11/17;
PMID: 12151279, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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