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Neuroimaging findings in post-traumatic stress disorder

Systematic review

Department of Mental Health and Aberdeen Centre for Trauma Research, University of Aberdeen

Correspondence: Dr Alastair Hull, Lecturer, Aberdeen Centre for Trauma Research, Bennachie, Royal Cornhill Hospital, Aberdeen AB25 2ZH, UK. E-mail: alhul{at}aol.com

Declaration of interest None.

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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