Neural correlates of traumatic memories in posttraumatic stress disorder: a functional MRI investigation.
OBJECTIVE
The neuronal circuitry underlying posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was studied in traumatized subjects with and without PTSD.


METHODS
Traumatized subjects with (N=9) and without (N=9) PTSD were studied by using the script-driven symptom provocation paradigm adapted to functional magnetic resonance imaging at a 4-T field strength.


RESULTS
PTSD subjects showed significantly less activation of the thalamus, the anterior cingulate gyrus (Brodmann's area 32), and the medial frontal gyrus (Brodmann's area 10/11) than did the comparison subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest anterior cingulate, frontal, and thalamic involvement in the neuronal circuitry underlying PTSD.
Lanius
R A
RA
Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada. ruth.lanius@lhsc.on.ca
Williamson
P C
PC
Densmore
M
M
Boksman
K
K
Gupta
M A
MA
Neufeld
R W
RW
Gati
J S
JS
Menon
R S
RS
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology