Selectively reduced regional cortical volumes in post-traumatic stress disorder.
Different subterritories of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and adjacent ventromedial frontal cortex have been shown to serve distinct functions. This scheme has influenced contemporary pathophysiologic models of psychiatric disorders. Prevailing neurocircuitry models of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) implicate dysfunction within pregenual ACC and subcallosal cortex (SC), as well as amygdala and hippocampus. In the current study, cortical parcellation of magnetic resonance imaging data was performed to test for volumetric differences in pregenual ACC and SC, between women with PTSD and trauma-exposed women without PTSD. The PTSD group exhibited selectively decreased pregenual ACC and SC volumes. These results are consistent with contemporary schemes regarding functional and structural dissection of frontal cortex, and suggest specific regional cortical pathology in PTSD.
Rauch
Scott L
SL
Psychiatric Neuroimaging Research Group, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 13th St., Bldg 149, CNY-9, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA. rauch@mgh.harvard.edu
Shin
Lisa M
LM
Segal
Ethan
E
Pitman
Roger K
RK
Carson
Margaret A
MA
McMullin
Katherine
K
Whalen
Paul J
PJ
Makris
Nikos
N
D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000473:pathology*