scholarly journals Prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and threat processing: implications for PTSD

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Alexandra Kredlow ◽  
Robert J. Fenster ◽  
Emma S. Laurent ◽  
Kerry J. Ressler ◽  
Elizabeth A. Phelps
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Healthy Humans ◽  
Foundational Research ◽  
Future Research Directions

AbstractPosttraumatic stress disorder can be viewed as a disorder of fear dysregulation. An abundance of research suggests that the prefrontal cortex is central to fear processing—that is, how fears are acquired and strategies to regulate or diminish fear responses. The current review covers foundational research on threat or fear acquisition and extinction in nonhuman animals, healthy humans, and patients with posttraumatic stress disorder, through the lens of the involvement of the prefrontal cortex in these processes. Research harnessing advances in technology to further probe the role of the prefrontal cortex in these processes, such as the use of optogenetics in rodents and brain stimulation in humans, will be highlighted, as well other fear regulation approaches that are relevant to the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder and involve the prefrontal cortex, namely cognitive regulation and avoidance/active coping. Despite the large body of translational research, many questions remain unanswered and posttraumatic stress disorder remains difficult to treat. We conclude by outlining future research directions related to the role of the prefrontal cortex in fear processing and implications for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder.

scholarly journals The role of memory in posttraumatic stress disorder: implications for clinical practice

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 119-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Montagner Rigoli ◽  
Gustavo Ramos Silva ◽  
Fernando Rainho de Oliveira ◽  
Giovanni Kuckartz Pergher ◽  
Christian Haag Kristensen
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Future Research

Abstract Introduction: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent disorder with important social consequences. Several models have been developed with the aim of understanding the mechanisms underlying its symptoms. Intrusions are idiosyncratic symptoms that commonly take the form of involuntary recollection of images or flashbacks about the traumatic event. Objective: To review how memory is conceptualized in each of these models and the implications for clinical practice. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted through analysis of the perspectives of memory in theoretical models of PTSD. Results: Two main perspectives were identified: 1) models in which specific mechanisms of memory for processing traumatic events are proposed, especially those based on clinical studies, and 2) models in which common mnemonic mechanisms are utilized to explain the phenomenon, primarily based on basic experimental research studies investigating memory. The different theories based on these approaches have led to distinct psychotherapy interventions. Conclusion: In order to clarify these discrepancies, future research should aim for the methodological rigor of experimental studies, while maintaining the ecological applicability of findings. Cognitive experimental psychopathology is therefore an area on which research funding should be focused. Such studies could elucidate the role of mnemonic aspects in PTSD and how they impact psychological treatments.

No role for benzodiazepines in posttraumatic stress disorder? A surplus of certainty despite scarce evidence

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladan Starcevic
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Treatment Outcomes ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
The Core ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

Objective: This article addresses some of the controversies about the role of benzodiazepines in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. Conclusions: Benzodiazepines have been admonished in treatment guidelines for posttraumatic stress disorder, but this is based on very little solid evidence. Although benzodiazepines do not seem to be effective in the treatment of the core posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, their careful use as adjunctive agents for the symptoms such as anxiety and sleep disturbance may be useful. Future research needs to identify predictors of improved treatment outcomes in posttraumatic stress disorder with use of benzodiazepines.

Depression and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Comorbidity

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa M. Najavits ◽  
Nicole M. Capezza
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Temporal Priority ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Shared Risk

Depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are highly comorbid diagnoses following a traumatic event. In this chapter, we explore a range of topics related to comorbid depression and PTSD, including impact, prevalence, shared risk factors, temporal priority, key research areas, intervention strategies, and future research directions. Given the overlap in symptoms and shared risk factors, some researchers have suggested that the comorbidity between depression and PTSD following a traumatic event may be better understood as a single general mood disorder rather than two separate disorders. We examine evidence supporting both possibilities. We briefly review the two research areas that have received the most attention, namely comorbidity related to military traumas and interpersonal abuse. Practical implications, assessments, interventions, and treatment recommendations are also discussed.

Dispositional mindfulness mediates the relations between neuroticism and posttraumatic stress disorder and depression in Chinese adolescents after a tornado

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 482-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan An ◽  
Gan Fu ◽  
Guangzhe Yuan ◽  
Qian Zhang ◽  
Wei Xu
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Chinese Adolescents ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Dispositional Mindfulness ◽  
Fit Index ◽  
The Relationship

Previous studies have shown that neuroticism is associated with higher levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in individuals who have experienced traumatic events. This study investigated dispositional mindfulness as one pathway in which neuroticism is related to PTSD and depression symptoms among Chinese adolescents who have experienced trauma by considering the role of dispositional mindfulness. Participants were 443 Chinese adolescents who had experienced a severe tornado a year prior to this study. The results showed that our model fitted the data well ( χ2 /df = 2.113, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.981, Tucker–Lewis index (TLI) = 0.969, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) (90% confidence interval (CI)) = 0.061 [0.047, 0.080]) and revealed that dispositional mindfulness partially mediated the relationship between neuroticism and PTSD and depression symptoms. The clinical implications and limitations of our research and recommendations for future research are discussed in this article.

scholarly journals Differences in International Guidelines Regarding EMDR for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Why They Diverge and Suggestions for Future Research

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 247-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Dominguez ◽  
Christopher W. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
American Psychological Association ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Future Research ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Stress Studies

In the last 24 months, three separate practice guidelines for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have emerged from well-respected organizations that differed in the degree to which they recommend eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) as a treatment. An international guideline was published by the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), and national guidelines were published by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Institute for Health Care Excellence (NICE). ISTSS reported that EMDR was effective and as potent as the best available therapies we can currently provide. NICE was more circumspect, and APA suggested other treatments had a stronger evidence base. In this review we focus on how these differences emerged and highlight the role of the time when the analysis was conducted, differences in inclusion criteria, and errors in determining appropriate measures. The 2017 APA guidelines were found to have the least validity when all these factors were considered. However, the fact that evaluating EMDR research is susceptible to such variations in methodology highlights certain research priorities that are then discussed.

Social Support, Emotional Intelligence, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole L. Hofman ◽  
Austin M. Hahn ◽  
Christine K. Tirabassi ◽  
Raluca M. Gaher
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Exposure to traumatic events and the associated risk of developing Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms is a significant and overlooked concern in the college population. It is important for current research to identify potential protective factors associated with the development and maintenance of PTSD symptoms unique to this population. Emotional intelligence and perceived social support are two identified protective factors that influence the association between exposure to traumatic events and PTSD symptomology. The current study examined the mediating role of social support in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD symptoms. Participants included 443 trauma-exposed university students who completed online questionnaires. The results of this study indicated that social support mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and reported PTSD symptoms. Thus, emotional intelligence is significantly associated with PTSD symptoms and social support may play an integral role in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD. The current study is the first to investigate the role of social support in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD symptoms. These findings have important treatment and prevention implications with regard to PTSD.

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