A review of the psychobiology and pharmacotherapy of posttraumatic stress disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To review the literature on certain psychobiologic elements of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as they pertain to possible pharmacotherapeutic interventions.


METHODS
The literature pertaining to the neuroanatomical, neurochemical, and cellular elements was reviewed. As well, both controlled and uncontrolled studies of pharmacotherapy in PTSD were analyzed.


RESULTS
The literature suggests that the stress response triggers certain neuromodulators with subsequent psychoneurological restructuring; that various antidepressants have been demonstrated to be effective for treatment of criterion B symptoms; that, to date, a single antidepressant has been demonstrated to be effective in a controlled trial for criterion C symptoms; and that, to date, in controlled trials, antidepressants and a benzodiazepine have proved effective for criterion D symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Currently, a comprehensive approach requires multimodel understanding and multimodal treatment.
Katz
L
L
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg.
Fleisher
W
W
Kjernisted
K
K
Milanese
P
P
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D009638:Norepinephrine