Resting metabolic activity in the cingulate cortex and vulnerability to posttraumatic stress disorder.
BACKGROUND
Recent neuroimaging research has revealed functional abnormalities in the anterior cingulate cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether resting functional abnormalities found in PTSD are acquired characteristics or familial risk factors.


METHODS
Cross-sectional design including identical twins discordant for trauma exposure.


METHODS
Academic medical center.


METHODS
Combat-exposed veterans with PTSD (n = 14) and their identical co-twins not exposed to combat (n = 14) as well as combat-exposed veterans without PTSD (n = 19) and their identical co-twins not exposed to combat (n = 19).


METHODS
We used positron emission tomography and fluorodeoxyglucose 18 to examine resting regional cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (rCMRglu).


RESULTS
Veterans with PTSD and their co-twins had significantly higher resting rCMRglu in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex/midcingulate cortex (dACC/MCC) compared with veterans without PTSD and their co-twins. Resting rCMRglu in the dACC/MCC in unexposed co-twins was positively correlated with combat exposure severity, PTSD symptom severity, and alcohol use in their exposed twins.


CONCLUSIONS
Enhanced resting metabolic activity in the dACC/MCC appears to represent a familial risk factor for developing PTSD after exposure to psychological trauma.
Shin
Lisa M
LM
Department of Psychology, Tufts University, 490 Boston Ave, Medford, MA 02155, USA. lisa.shin@tufts.edu
Lasko
Natasha B
NB
Macklin
Michael L
ML
Karpf
Rachel D
RD
Milad
Mohammed R
MR
Orr
Scott P
SP
Goetz
Jared M
JM
Fischman
Alan J
AJ
Rauch
Scott L
SL
Pitman
Roger K
RK
D000679:Amygdala / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006179:Gyrus Cinguli / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012146:Rest; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D005947:Glucose