Objective
To test whether Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) alters brain activity compared to a Healthy group at baseline, as measured by a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging.
Methods
The sample (n = 189) included a PTSD group (n = 109, Mage = 43.4, 23% Male, 71.6% Caucasian.) and a Healthy group (n = 80, Mage = 41.5, 45 Males, 41.3% Caucasian.).
Results
The results revealed significant decrease (p < .01) of CBF in the PTSD group in the left (F(1,187) = 9.678, p = .002) and right (F(1,187) = 7.112, p = .008) Basal Ganglia compared to the healthy group. The left (F(1,187) = 10.384, p = .002) and right (F(1,187) = 8.892, p = .003) Cerebellum and the left (F(1,187) = 5.591, p = .019) and right (F(1,187) = 5.898, p = .016) Temporal areas had significant increases in CBF in the PTSD group compared to the Healthy group.
Conclusion
The pattern of increased CBF in the Temporal lobes in those suffering from PTSD can be associated with personal increase in emotional responsivity. The increase in emotional lability can be related to the symptoms that are evident in PTSD, including, attention and consolidation of memory. Furthermore, the increased cerebellar CBF may affect major functions including motor movements and procedural memory. By having overactivation in these areas individuals with PTSD may experience symptoms of increased alertness, hypervigilance, and inability to control behavioral actions that have previously been learned in stressful situations. Decreased CBF in the Basal Ganglia of the PTSD group suggests an aberration of functions controlled by this area, such as, motor learning, executive functions, and reinforcement-learning. Treatment of PTSD can target discrete brain systems related to these differences in cognitive activity.
