title: Alterations in brain activation in posttraumatic stress disorder patients with severe hyperarousal symptoms and impulsive aggressiveness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We wanted to assess possible alterations in brain activation in PTSD patients with severe hyperarousal symptoms and impulsive aggressiveness.
  
  
  METHODS
  25 Croatian War (1991-1995) veterans with combat-related PTSD with severe hyperarousal symptoms and impulsive aggressiveness were assessed for possible alterations in cerebral blood flow in single photon emission computed tomography brain scans.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increased regional cerebral blood flow in projection area of nucleus accumbens was found in 13 of 25 subjects, and for all in the dominant brain hemisphere.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We believe that at least some of PTSD symptoms, and especially the impulsive aggression, can be associated with increased regional cerebral blood flow in the projection area of nucleus accumbens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Dubrava, Av. Gojka Suska 6, Zagreb, Croatia. Ladislav.pavic@zg.hinet.hr
authors.forename: Ladislav
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pavic
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gregurek
authors.forename: Ratimir
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Petrović
authors.forename: Damir
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Petrović
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Varda
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vukusić
authors.forename: Suncana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crnković-Marković
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression; D001143:Arousal; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D014728:Veterans