title: Neurobiological alterations associated with traumatic stress.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this article is to describe the effects of traumatic stress on brain structure and function, and the relationship of these neurobiological changes to symptoms experienced after trauma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exposure to traumatic stress is associated with changes in the limbic system, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and key monoamine neurotransmitters. Different neurobiological alterations can be linked to specific symptoms of hyperarousal, dissociation/numbing, and reexperiencing of the trauma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Understanding what is happening in the brain can inform more targeted treatment for various symptoms that the individual may be experiencing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Systems, School of Nursing at the University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA. sandra.weiss@nursing.ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Sandra J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D052636:Allostasis / Q000502:physiology; D000679:Amygdala / Q000503:physiopathology; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000502:physiology; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000502:physiology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000503:physiopathology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000502:physiology; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D008032:Limbic System / Q000503:physiopathology; D009446:Neurobiology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D012701:Serotonin; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D004298:Dopamine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D004837:Epinephrine