Platelet monoamine oxidase activity, ego strength, and neuroticism in soldiers with combat-related current posttraumatic stress disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To assess possible differences in platelet monoamino oxidase-B (MAO-B) activity, ego strength, and neuroticism in combat-experienced soldiers with or without current posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).


METHODS
The soldiers with current PTSD (N=36) and a control group of 34 healthy soldiers were matched in combat experience, time passed between combat experience and the study, demographic variables (age, marital status, education), and smoking status. Platelet MAO-B was assayed fluorometrically, ego strength was measured by the Croatian version of the Ego Identity Scale, and neuroticism by the N-scale from Eysenck's EPQ-R questionnaire.


RESULTS
Soldiers with combat-related current PTSD had lower platelet MAO-B activity than the control group (9.1+/-3.9 vs. 11.9+/-4.0; p<0.05), as well as lower ego-strength (86.3+/-8.3 vs. 108.6+/-13.4; p<0.05) and higher neuroticism (23.5+/-13.2 vs. 5. 9+/-4.7; p<0.05). There was no association of ego strength or neuroticism with platelet MAO-B activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Ego identity strength and emotional stability are associated with successful coping with combat trauma. The involvement of platelet MAO-B activity in biological basis of ego strength and neuroticism could not be demonstrated.
Kozarić-Kovacić
D
D
National Center for Psychotrauma, Department of Psychiatry, Dubrava University Hospital, Avenija Gojka Suska 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia, tljubin@kondor.fkz.hr
Ljubin
T
T
Rutić-Puz
L
L
Mihaljević
J
J
Jernej
B
B
Cicin-Sain
L
L
D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000201:enzymology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004532:Ego; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000097:blood*; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000523:psychology
D008995:Monoamine Oxidase