title: Volume changes of corpus striatum, thalamus, hippocampus and lateral ventricles in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients suffering from headaches and without therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, we have hypothesized that volume changes of the caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, hippocampus, thalamus, and lateral ventricle in newly-diagnosed, male PTSD patients without therapy are more pronounced in those with headaches. To confirm or reject our hypothesis, we have undertaken an extensive study of forty-nine PTSD patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  To confirm or reject our hypothesis, we have undertaken an extensive study of forty-nine PTSD male patients that underwent MRI scanning immediately upon admittance for the treatment. Based on headache frequency, they were classified into three groups: group 1 included patients with headaches at least twice a week; group 2 consisted of patients with headaches less than twice a week; and group 3 consisted of patients without headaches. All MRI scans underwent software-based volume compute and statistical processing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  39 out of 49 patients with PTSD suffered from headaches. Bilaterally, volume decreases were noted in groups 1 and 2 compared to group 3 for the caudate nucleus, putamen, hippocampus and lateral ventricle. Differences in globus pallidus and thalamus among groups appeared to be insignificant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study revealed a bilateral volume decrease of the caudate nucleus, putamen and hippocampus in PTSD male subjects without therapy. Intensity of volume alterations correlated with Hamilton's depression rating score; regression analysis uncovered correlated changes in the caudate nucleus, putamen and hippocampus, and an inverse correlation with the volume of the lateral ventricle in the PTSD patients.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicne in Belgrade, Institute of Anatomy Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Filipovic
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Djurovic
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marinkovic
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stijak
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aksic
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nikolic
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Starcevic
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Radonjic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000473:pathology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005917:Globus Pallidus / Q000473:pathology; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D020547:Lateral Ventricles / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011699:Putamen / Q000473:pathology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D013788:Thalamus / Q000473:pathology*