title: Restoring large-scale brain networks in PTSD and related disorders: a proposal for neuroscientifically-informed treatment interventions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Three intrinsic connectivity networks in the brain, namely the central executive, salience, and default mode networks, have been identified as crucial to the understanding of higher cognitive functioning, and the functioning of these networks has been suggested to be impaired in psychopathology, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  1) To describe three main large-scale networks of the human brain; 2) to discuss the functioning of these neural networks in PTSD and related symptoms; and 3) to offer hypotheses for neuroscientifically-informed interventions based on treating the abnormalities observed in these neural networks in PTSD and related disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature relevant to this commentary was reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increasing evidence for altered functioning of the central executive, salience, and default mode networks in PTSD has been demonstrated. We suggest that each network is associated with specific clinical symptoms observed in PTSD, including cognitive dysfunction (central executive network), increased and decreased arousal/interoception (salience network), and an altered sense of self (default mode network). Specific testable neuroscientifically-informed treatments aimed to restore each of these neural networks and related clinical dysfunction are proposed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neuroscientifically-informed treatment interventions will be essential to future research agendas aimed at targeting specific PTSD and related symptoms.
authors: Western University, London, ON, Canada.|Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Ruth.Lanius@lhsc.on.ca.
authors: Ruth A
authors: RA
authors: Lanius
authors: Western University, London, ON, Canada.|Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.
authors: Paul A
authors: PA
authors: Frewen
authors: Western University, London, ON, Canada.
authors: Mischa
authors: M
authors: Tursich
authors: Canadian Forces, Health Services, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Rakesh
authors: R
authors: Jetly
authors: McMaster University, Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.|St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.|Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Margaret C
authors: MC
authors: McKinnon
keywords: Intrinsic networks; PTSD; central executive network; default mode network; dissociation; insula; interoception; mindfulness; neurofeedback; salience network