title: Post-traumatic stress disorder: a review of psychobiology and pharmacotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the literature on the psychobiology and pharmacotherapy of PTSD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant studies were identified by literature searches (Pub-med, Web of Science) and through reference lists. The search was ended by May 2001.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is evidence of involvement of opioid, glutamatergic, GABAergic, noradrenergic, serotonergic and neuroendocrine pathways in the pathophysiology of PTSD. Medications shown to be effective in double-blind placebo-controlled trials includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, reversible and irreversible MAO-inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants and the anticonvulsant lamotrigine. Still more agents appear promising in open-label trials.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The complexity of the psychobiology is reflected by the difficulties in treating the disorder. According to the present knowledge, suggestions for drug treatment of PTSD are made.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Righospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hageman
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
mesh_terms: D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000378:metabolism; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D018847:Opioid Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000378:metabolism; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018847:Opioid Peptides; D012701:Serotonin; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine