Basal cerebral glucose distribution in long-term post-traumatic stress disorder.
The purpose of this investigation was to study basal cerebral glucose absorption patterns associated to long-term post-traumatic stress disorder. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and statistic parametric mapping (SPM) were used to compare regional cerebral glucose absorption between 15 war veterans (Hispanic men, aged 39-41 (M = 39.5, SD = 0.84)) diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on DSM-IV criteria, and a matching control group of six asymptomatic veterans. This study was conducted 20 years after the traumatic events. PTSD patients presented relatively diminished activity (P<0.005) in: cingulate gyri, precuneus, insula, hippocampus; frontal, pre-frontal and post-central regions; lingual, calcarine, occipital medial and superior gyri, and verbal and paraverbal areas. Relativeley augmented activity (P<0.005) was observed in PTSD patients in: fusiform, temporal superior, medial, and inferior gyri; occipital medial, inferior and lingual gyri; precuneus, and cerebellum. The amygdala and the thalamus showed normal metabolic activity. Various brain regions that showed diminished activity (limbic, frontal and prefrontal cortex, multimodal parieto-occipital areas and verbal and paraverbal areas) have evolved lately, and sub-serve highly complex cognitive and behavioural functions. Metabolic activity patterns are comparable to those observed in personality disorders of the borderline type.
Molina
Mario Enrique
ME
PROBIOL, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina. mmolina@pro-mendoza.com
Isoardi
Roberto
R
Prado
Marcela Nathalie
MN
Bentolila
Silvia
S
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors
D005947:Glucose