Trauma exposure rather than posttraumatic stress disorder is associated with reduced baseline plasma neuropeptide-Y levels.
BACKGROUND
Exposure to uncontrollable stress reduces baseline plasma neuropeptide-Y levels in animals. We previously reported that baseline plasma neuropeptide-Y levels, as well as neuropeptide-Y responses to yohimbine, were lower in combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder, but we were unable to determine whether this was attributable to posttraumatic stress disorder or trauma exposure. The current report addresses this issue.


METHODS
A) Baseline plasma neuropeptide-Y levels were measured in 8 healthy combat veterans compared to 18 combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder and 8 healthy nontraumatized subjects; and B) Baseline plasma neuropeptide-Y levels, trauma exposure, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms were assessed in 41 active military personnel.


RESULTS
Plasma neuropeptide-Y was negatively associated with trauma exposure but not posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in active duty personnel. Baseline neuropeptide-Y was reduced in combat veterans with and without posttraumatic stress disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
Trauma exposure rather than posttraumatic stress disorder is associated with reduced baseline plasma neuropeptide-Y levels. Future studies must determine if neuropeptide-Y reactivity differentiates trauma-exposed individuals with and without posttraumatic stress disorder.
Morgan
Charles A
CA
National Center for PTSD, VA Connecticut Healthcare Systems, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, USA.
Rasmusson
Ann M
AM
Winters
Brendon
B
Hauger
Richard L
RL
Morgan
Jeffrey
J
Hazlett
Gary
G
Southwick
Steven
S
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000097:blood*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000097:blood*; D014728:Veterans; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000097:blood*; D015016:Yohimbine
D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D010919:Placebos; D015016:Yohimbine