Combat exposure is associated with cortical thickness in Veterans with a history of chronic pain

Corbo, Vincent; Salat, David H.; Powell, Margaret A.; Milberg, William; McGlinchey, Regina E.

doi:10.1016/j.pscychresns.2016.02.003

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 81 publications

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“…14,36,37 This work is also largely consistent with previous investigations of cortical thickness in Veteran samples, also highlighting the prefrontal and superior temporal regions. 14,15,38,39 These associations remained significant after adjustment for PTSD status, ELS, and age. The significant negative association found between combat exposure and cortical thickness in the insular area of combat-exposed Veterans not meeting diagnostic criteria for PTSD is interesting.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Combat Exposure Severity Is Associated With Reduced Cortical Thickness in Combat Veterans: A Preliminary Report

et al. 2017

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Background Chronic stress and related physiological responses are known to have deleterious effects on neural integrity. Combat exposure is a notoriously pathogenic stressor and with over 2 million U.S. troops deployed to active combat zones since 2001, there is an urgent need to advance our understanding of its potential neural impact. Previous evidence suggests structural alterations in PTSD and more recent studies have explored cortical thinning specifically. This preliminary study investigates the impact of combat exposure on cortical thickness, controlling for history of early life stress and age. Methods Twenty-one combat-exposed Veterans with PTSD and 20 non-PTSD combat-exposed controls (mean age 32.7) completed the Combat Exposure Scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and structural magnetic resonance imaging in a Siemens 3T TIM trio system. GLM was used to examine the effect of combat exposure on cortical thickness, controlling for early life trauma exposure and age using cluster-wise correction (p<0.05). Results This preliminary study found a negative correlation between combat exposure severity (CES) and cortical thickness in the left superior temporal and left rostral middle frontal regions, as well as an interaction between PTSD diagnosis status and CES, in the superior temporal/insular region showing a stronger negative correlation between CES and cortical thickness in the non-PTSD group. Conclusions Though caution should be taken with interpretation given the preliminary nature of the findings, the results indicate combat exposure may affect cortical structure beyond possible alterations due to early life stress exposure or PTSD psychopathology. Though replication in larger samples is required, these results provide useful information regarding possible neural biomarkers and treatment targets for combat-related psychopathology as well as highlighting the pathogenic effects of combat.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Combat Exposure Severity Is Associated With Reduced Cortical Thickness in Combat Veterans: A Preliminary Report

et al. 2017

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“…In particular, it is essential to investigate the effect of combat exposure on GM integrity in Veterans with and without PTSD. A recent report found a negative correlation between combat severity and cortical thickness in Veterans with chronic pain (Corbo et al, 2016). In this study, we focused on determining the association between combat severity and GM integrity, while attempting to address some of the gaps of prior evidence.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cortical thickness reduction in combat exposed U.S. veterans with and without PTSD

Wrocklage

Averill

Scott

et al. 2017

European Neuropsychopharmacology

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We investigated the extent of cortical thinning in U.S. Veterans exposed to combat who varied in the severity of their posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. In addition, we explored the neural correlates of PTSD symptom dimensions and the interactive effects of combat exposure and PTSD upon cortical thickness. Sixty-nine combat exposed Veterans completed high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to estimate cortical thickness. The Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and Combat Exposure Scale (CES) assessments were completed to measure current PTSD and historical combat severity, respectively. PTSD symptom dimensions (numbing, avoidance, reexperiencing, anxious arousal, and dysphoric arousal) were studied. Vertex-wise whole cerebrum analyses were conducted. We found widespread negative correlations between CAPS severity and cortical thickness, particularly within the prefrontal cortex. This prefrontal correlation remained significant after controlling for depression severity, medication status, and other potential confounds. PTSD dimensions, except anxious arousal, negatively correlated with cortical thickness in various unique brain regions. CES negatively correlated with cortical thickness in the left lateral prefrontal, regardless of PTSD diagnosis. A significant interaction between CES and PTSD diagnosis was found, such that CES negatively correlated with cortical thickness in the non-PTSD, but not in the PTSD, participants. The results underscore the severity of cortical thinning in U.S. Veterans suffering from high level of PTSD symptoms, as well as in Veterans with no PTSD diagnosis but severe combat exposure. The latter finding raises considerable concerns about a concealed injury potentially related to combat exposure in the post-9/11 era.

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“… Michalski et al (2017) observed the thickness of the rostral middle frontal gyrus to be inversely associated with perceived stress. Corbo et al (2016) reported cortical thinning within the rostral middle frontal cortex, the pars orbitalis, the pars triangularis, the superior temporal gyrus and the superior parietal cortex after combat exposure.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex differences in the association between basal serum cortisol concentrations and cortical thickness

Klinger-König

Frenzel

Hannemann

et al. 2021

Neurobiology of Stress

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Combat exposure is associated with cortical thickness in Veterans with a history of chronic pain

Cited by 7 publications

References 81 publications

Combat Exposure Severity Is Associated With Reduced Cortical Thickness in Combat Veterans: A Preliminary Report

Combat Exposure Severity Is Associated With Reduced Cortical Thickness in Combat Veterans: A Preliminary Report

Cortical thickness reduction in combat exposed U.S. veterans with and without PTSD

Sex differences in the association between basal serum cortisol concentrations and cortical thickness

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