Rostral anterior cingulate volume predicts treatment response to cognitive-behavioural therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To index the extent to which treatment response in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is predicted by rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) volume.


METHODS
We used structural magnetic resonance imaging in a 1.5 T scanner to examine subjects with PTSD (n = 13), traumatized control subjects (n = 13) and nontraumatized control subjects (n = 13). Subjects with PTSD then participated in 8 sessions of cognitive-behavioural therapy, after which we reassessed them for PTSD.


RESULTS
According to voxel-based morphometry, treatment responders had larger rACC volume than nonresponders. Further, symptom reduction was associated with larger rACC volume.


CONCLUSIONS
Consistent with evidence for the neural bases of extinction learning, PTSD patients with larger rACC volume may be better able to regulate fear during cognitive-behavioural therapy and thus achieve greater treatment gains.
Bryant
Richard A
RA
Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia. r.bryant@unsw.edu.au
Felmingham
Kim
K
Whitford
Thomas J
TJ
Kemp
Andrew
A
Hughes
Gerard
G
Peduto
Anthony
A
Williams
Leanne M
LM
D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006179:Gyrus Cinguli / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome