Alterations in brain activation in posttraumatic stress disorder patients with severe hyperarousal symptoms and impulsive aggressiveness.
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.
Pavic
Ladislav
L
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Dubrava, Av. Gojka Suska 6, Zagreb, Croatia. Ladislav.pavic@zg.hinet.hr
Gregurek
Rudolf
R
Petrović
Ratimir
R
Petrović
Damir
D
Varda
Robert
R
Vukusić
Herman
H
Crnković-Marković
Suncana
S
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