This review aims to identify patterns of electrical signals identified using electroencephalography (EEG) linked to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis and symptom dimensions. We filter EEG findings through a clinical lens, evaluating nuances in findings according to study criteria and participant characteristics. Within the EEG frequency domain, greater right than left parietal asymmetry in alpha band power is the most promising marker of PTSD symptoms and is linked to exaggerated physiological arousal that may impair filtering of environmental distractors. The most consistent findings within the EEG time domain focused on event related potentials (ERPs) include: 1) exaggerated frontocentral responses (contingent negative variation, mismatch negativity, and P3a amplitudes) to task-irrelevant distractors, and 2) attenuated parietal responses (P3b amplitudes) to task-relevant target stimuli. These findings suggest that some individuals with PTSD suffer from attention dysregulation, which could contribute to problems concentrating on daily tasks and goals in lieu of threatening distractors. Future research investigating the utility of alpha asymmetry and frontoparietal ERPs as diagnostic and predictive biomarkers or intervention targets are recommended.

Aims To understand processes placing individuals at risk for stimulant (amphetamine and cocaine) use disorder. Design Longitudinal study. Setting University of California, San Diego Department of Psychiatry, USA. Participants Occasional stimulant users (OSU; n=184) underwent a baseline clinical interview and a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) session. On the basis of a follow-up clinical interview completed three years later, OSU (n=147) were then categorized as problem stimulant users (PSU: n=36; those who developed stimulant use disorders in the interim) or desisted stimulant users (DSU: n=74; those who stopped using). OSU who did not meet criteria for PSU or DSU (n=37) were included in dimensional analyses. Measurements fMRI blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) contrast percent signal change from baseline collected during a Paper-Scissors-Rock task was examined during three decision making conditions, those resulting in: (1) wins, (2) ties, and (3) losses. These data were used as dependent variables in categorical analyses comparing PSU and DSU as well as dimensional analyses including interim drug use as predictors, controlling for baseline drug use. Findings PSU exhibited lower anterior cingulate, middle insula, superior temporal, inferior parietal, precuneus and cerebellum activation than DSU across all three conditions (significant brain clusters required >19 neighboring voxels to exceed F(1,108)=5.58, p<.01 two-tailed; all Cohen’s d > .83). Higher interim marijuana use was linked to lower precentral and superior temporal activation during choices resulting in wins (>19 neighboring voxels to exceed t=2.61, p<.01 two-tailed; R2 change >.11). Conclusions Individuals who transition from stimulant use to stimulant use disorder appear to show alterations in neural processing of stimulus valuation and outcome monitoring, patterns also evident in chronic stimulant use disorder. Attenuated anterior cingulate and insular processing may constitute a high-risk neural processing profile, which could be used to calculate risk scores for individuals experimenting with stimulants.

While skin color is relevant and important in the Latinx community, as it is associated with colorism, little is known about how often it is measured or the best way to measure it. This article presents results from two studies examining these key concerns in three prominent journals, where Latinx research is typically published (i.e., the Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, the Journal of Latinx Psychology, and Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology). Study one examined whether skin color was measured as a variable, and if so, what measures and methodologies were used. A review of articles ( n = 1,137) showed few studies measured skin color in these three journals, with studies that did so relying on various approaches. Study two aimed to assess the reliability of a widely used skin color measure, the Massey-Martin scale, also known as the New Immigrant Survey (NIS) Skin Scale. Using a sample of 169 undergraduate students, self-ratings, coder ratings, and in vivo ratings were obtained and compared. One-way random effects model analyses indicated excellent reliability with minimal variability across the various ratings. Our findings suggest a critical need to engage in a more concerted effort to assess and discuss the relevance and importance of skin color within the Latinx community. The authors offer some suggestions on how to facilitate these efforts in clinical, training, and research arenas.