Emotional-processing in posttraumatic stress disorder II: startle reflex modulation during picture processing.
This study examined the impact of a trauma-related stressor on subsequent emotional behavior in veterans with (n = 35) and without (n = 24) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Self-report and physiological responses, including acoustic startle, were recorded during viewing of emotionally evocative photographs at baseline and following exposure to trauma-related and non-trauma-related stressors. The 2 groups exhibited equivalent patterns of emotional response across self-report and physiological measures at baseline. In contrast, following the trauma challenge, participants with PTSD showed a pattern of startle modulation suggestive of greater defensive reactivity and reduced visual perceptual engagement. These findings, along with augmented corrugator EMG reactivity during the same interval, suggest that trauma-related reexperiencing primes subsequent negative emotional responding in individuals with PTSD.
National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA. mark.miller5@med.va.gov
Mark W
MW
Miller
Brett T
BT
Litz
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal; D001288:Attention; D001767:Blinking; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003463:Cues; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D013216:Reflex, Startle; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*