scholarly journals Diverging roles of the anterior insula in trauma-exposed individuals vulnerable or resilient to posttraumatic stress disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyeonseok Jeong ◽  
Yong-An Chung ◽  
Jiyoung Ma ◽  
Jungyoon Kim ◽  
Gahae Hong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Anterior Insula ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Recovery Group ◽  
Current Ptsd ◽  
Ptsd Group

Abstract Distinct brain alterations in response to traumatic events may render trauma-exposed individuals either resilient or vulnerable to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study compared regional cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (rCMRglu) among trauma-exposed individuals with current PTSD (PTSD group, n = 61), those without current PTSD (Resilience/Recovery group, n = 26), and trauma-unexposed controls (Control group, n = 54). All participants underwent brain [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scans. Voxel-wise group differences in rCMRglu among the three groups were evaluated. Associations between rCMRglu and both PTSD severity and resilience were examined. The rCMRglu in the right anterior insula and adjacent prefrontal and striatal areas was lower in the PTSD group, while higher in the Resilience/Recovery group, compared to the Control group. In addition, the lower glucose metabolism of these areas was associated with higher severity and less improvement in PTSD symptoms in the PTSD group, while the higher levels of rCMRglu were correlated with stronger resilience in the Resilience/Recovery group. This study suggests distinct roles of the anterior insula in response to trauma between the PTSD and Resilience/Recovery groups. Heightened rCMRglu in the anterior insular regions may reflect an underlying mechanism of resilience against traumatic stress, while reduced rCMRglu may indicate vulnerability to PTSD.

Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Show Decreased Cognitive Control: Evidence from Dichotic Listening

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 344-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grethe E. Johnsen ◽  
Pushpa Kanagaratnam ◽  
Arve E. Asbjørnsen
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Dichotic Listening ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Functions ◽  
Ear Advantage ◽  
Right Ear Advantage ◽  
Ptsd Group

AbstractThe influence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on cognitive control and auditory attention modulation was examined with the use of a dichotic-listening (DL) task. The participants were 45 war-exposed refugees. The PTSD group comprised 22 participants meeting the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD, and the Control group comprised 23 war-exposed participants without PTSD. Both groups were tested with a consonant–vowel syllables DL task under three different attentional instructions. The two groups did not differ in the non-forced and forced-right conditions and showed, as expected, right-ear advantages. The Control group showed, as expected, a left-ear advantage in the forced-left (FL) condition. However, the PTSD group continued to show a right-ear advantage - and only minor modulation of the performance during the FL condition. This finding suggests that PTSD is associated with a reduced capacity for top-down attentional control of a bottom-up or stimulus-driven effect. The result shows that participants with PTSD have impaired cognitive control functions when tested on information processing of neutral stimuli. (JINS, 2011, 17, 344–353)

Metabolic Syndrome and Mental Health in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Patients

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan SHAHMIRI ◽  
Arsia TAGHVA ◽  
Mohammad-Reza EBRAHIMI ◽  
Seyyed Behnam HASHEMI URIMI ◽  
Amir-Mohsen RAHNEJAT
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Traumatic History ◽  
Psychological Reaction ◽  
Ptsd Group

Abstract Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an abnormal physiologic and psychological reaction in person with severe traumatic history. In recent studies, the relationship between PTSD and some other disease apparently unrelated to psychological situations such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome has been revealed. Thus, the aim of this study was to survey the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and mental health in PTSD patients. Methods: The research design was retrospective cohort study. Subjects were consisted of 142 Iran-Iraq war veterans with PTSD (age: 40-60 years) and the control group was consisted of 153 veterans without PTSD. Data was collected using questionnaires, physical exams and laboratory tests.Results: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 45.1%in PTSD group and 17% in control group. In addition blood pressure, triglyceride and fasting blood sugar in PTSD group were significantly higher than control group (p<0.05). Also, PTSD patients had significant high rates of psychiatric disorders.Conclusion: PTSD patients are more prone to metabolic syndrome and psychiatric disorders than control group.

scholarly journals Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression severity in sexually assaulted women: hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis alterations

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Teresa D. D’Elia ◽  
Mario F. Juruena ◽  
Bruno M. Coimbra ◽  
Marcelo F. Mello ◽  
Andrea F. Mello
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cortisol Levels ◽  
Ptsd Group

Abstract Background Sexual assault is implicated in several adverse psychological and physical health outcomes, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Neurobiological research has shown variations related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, immune alterations, metabolic function, and brain circuitry. Although these mechanisms have been extensively studied, the results have demonstrated different outcomes in PTSD. Methods We compared the plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and salivary cortisol levels of fifty-eight women with PTSD developed after sexual assault to those of forty-four female controls with no history of trauma. We also evaluated the psychiatric diagnosis and symptom severity of PTSD and depression. The participants’ clinical conditions were associated with their hormonal levels to assess whether symptom severity was related to hormonal imbalance. Results A large percentage of sexually assaulted women had PTSD and comorbid depression. The ACTH levels were higher in the PTSD group than the control group and increased as PTSD severity increased, considering depressive symptoms, measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) (p < 0.0001), as well as PTSD symptoms, measured by subscale D of the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) (p = 0.045) and the CAPS-5 total scale (p = 0.026). Cortisol levels measured at 10 pm were higher for the PTSD group than the control group (p = 0.045, p = 0.037, respectively), and the cortisol awakening response showed elevated cortisol levels for the PTSD group. Conclusions These results show a correlation between symptom severity and HPA axis imbalance in patients with PTSD. Elevated ACTH and an elevated cortisol response in patients with comorbid depressive symptoms were the opposite of the expected response for patients with PTSD only. This association leads to the hypothesis that the neurobiological alterations of PTSD are related to the type of symptoms presented and their severity. These manifestations likely influence the disease course, prognosis and response to treatment. These outcomes highlight the need to discuss particular neurobiological alterations in patients with PTSD developed after sexual assault, mainly those with severe depressive symptoms.

Experiential Avoidance in Civilian War Survivors With Current Versus Recovered Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nexhmedin Morina ◽  
Ulrich Stangier ◽  
Anne Katrin Risch
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Experiential Avoidance ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
War Survivors ◽  
Current Ptsd ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
Ptsd Group

AbstractThe present study investigated the role of experiential avoidance in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following war-related stress. Eighty-four civilian war survivors were assigned to one of three PTSD groups — current PTSD, recovered PTSD and non-PTSD. Groups were subsequently compared in regard to experiential avoidance. Results indicated significantly higher rates of experiential avoidance and psychological distress in the current PTSD group as compared with the recovered PTSD and non-PTSD groups. The recovered PTSD and non-PTSD groups did not significantly differ.

Reduced left ventricular diastolic function in women with posttraumatic stress disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 317 (1) ◽  
pp. R108-R112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michinari Hieda ◽  
Jeung-Ki Yoo ◽  
Mark B. Badrov ◽  
Rosemary S. Parker ◽  
Elizabeth H. Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Diastolic Function ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Lv Diastolic Function ◽  
Ptsd Group

Women are two to three times more likely to develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared with men after exposure to a major trauma, and PTSD is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease in later life. The underlying mechanisms are unclear, but alterations in cardiac function may be involved. We hypothesized that women with PTSD have reduced left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. We studied 14 women with PTSD (PTSD group) and 14 women without PTSD (controls) using echocardiography Doppler to evaluate LV diastolic function, including peak velocities (E and A waves) in transmitral flow; diastolic, atrial kick, and systolic waveform velocities (e′, a′, and s′) in tissue Doppler; the ratio between early mitral inflow velocity and mitral annular early diastolic velocity (E/e′); and velocity of propagation ( Vp) . Baseline characteristics including age, body size, blood pressure, and heart rate were not significantly different between the two groups. Compared with the control group, women with PTSD showed greater E/e′ (controls vs. PTSD group: 7.0 ± 1.3 vs. 9.1 ± 1.3, P = 0.002) and smaller Vp (controls vs. PTSD group: 63.7 ± 11.3 vs. 47.5 ± 6.9 cm/s, P = 0.003). These results suggest that women with PTSD have reduced LV diastolic function, which may contribute, at least in part, to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life.

scholarly journals Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Autobiographical Memories in Everyday Life

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Schönfeld ◽  
Anke Ehlers
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Autobiographical Memory ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Trauma Survivors ◽  
Autobiographical Memories ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Distinct Features ◽  
Ptsd Group

Evidence from self-reports and laboratory studies suggests that recall of nontrauma autobiographical memories may be disturbed in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but investigations in everyday life are sparse. This study investigated unintentional nontrauma and trauma memories in trauma survivors with and without PTSD ( N = 52), who kept an autobiographical memory diary for a week. We investigated whether unintentional nontrauma memories show an overgeneral memory bias and further memory abnormalities in people with PTSD, and whether unintentional trauma memories show distinct features. Compared to the no-PTSD group, the PTSD group recorded fewer nontrauma memories, which were more overgeneral, more often from before the trauma or related to the trauma, were perceived as distant, and led to greater dwelling. Trauma memories were more vivid, recurrent, and present and led to greater suppression and dwelling. Within the PTSD group, the same features distinguished trauma and nontrauma memories. Results are discussed regarding theories of autobiographical memory and PTSD.

Embitterment in war veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S359-S360 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Sabic ◽  
A. Sabic
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Health Center ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
World Health ◽  
Control Group ◽  
War Veterans ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control

The aim of this study was to analyse frequency of embitterment in war veterans with Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as the potential impact of embitterment on the development of chronic PTSD.Patients and methodsIt was analyzed 174 subjects (from Health Center Zivinice/mental health center) through a survey conducted in the period from March 2015 to June 2016, of which 87 war veterans with PTSD and control subjects 87 war veterans without PTSD. The primary outcome measure was the post-traumatic embitterment disorder self-rating scale (PTED Scale) who contains 19 items designed to assess features of embitterment reactions to negative life events. Secondary efficacy measures included the clinician-administered PTSD scale–V (CAPS), the PTSD checklist (PCL), the combat exposure scale (CES), the Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D), the Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAM-A) and the World health organization quality of life scale (WHOQOL-Bref). All subjects were male. The average age of patients in the group war veterans with PTSD was 52.78 ± 5.99. In the control group, average age was 51.42 ± 5.98. Statistical data were analyzed in SPSS statistical program.ResultsComparing the results, t-tests revealed significant difference between group veterans with PTSD and control group (t = −21,21, P < 0.0001). War veterans group with PTSD (X = 51.41, SD = 8,91), control group (X = 14.39, SD = 13.61).ConclusionEmbitterment is frequent in war veterans with PTSD.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Compartmentalization of self-representations in female survivors of sexual abuse and assault, with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 956-963 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgina Clifford ◽  
Caitlin Hitchcock ◽  
Tim Dalgleish
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Sorting Task ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Negative Attributes

AbstractBackgroundThis study examined the structure of the self-concept in a sample of sexual trauma survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to healthy controls using a self-descriptive card-sorting task. We explored whether individuals with PTSD possess a highly affectively-compartmentalized self-structure, whereby positive and negative self-attributes are sectioned off into separate components of self-concept (e.g. self as an employee, lover, mother). We also examined redundancy (i.e. overlap) of positive and negative self-attributes across the different components of self-concept.MethodParticipants generated a set of self-aspects that reflected their own life (e.g. ‘self at work’). They were then asked to describe their self-aspects using list of positive or negative attributes.ResultsResults revealed that, relative to the control group, the PTSD group used a greater proportion of negative attributes and had a more compartmentalized self-structure. However, there were no significant differences between the PTSD and control groups in positive or negative redundancy. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the key findings were not accounted for by comorbid diagnosis of depression.ConclusionFindings indicated that the self-structure is organized differently in those with PTSD, relative to those with depression or good mental health.

Effect of Posttraumatic Stress on Study Time in a Task Measuring Four Component Processes Underlying Text-Level Reading

2014 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 1731-1739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Sullivan ◽  
Gina G. Griffiths ◽  
Mckay Moore Sohlberg
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Matched Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Semantic Features ◽  
Text Memory ◽  
Component Processes ◽  
Task Irrelevant ◽  
Direct Measures ◽  
Ptsd Group

Purpose To investigate the effect of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on 4 components underlying text-level reading comprehension. Method A group of 17 veterans with PTSD and 17 matched control participants took part. An experimental task required participants to read and study 3-sentence paragraphs describing semantic features associated with real and unreal objects. Each paragraph was followed by true–false statements that assessed knowledge access, text memory, inference, and integration. Results The results revealed that the PTSD group took significantly longer than the control group to study the paragraphs. Although there was no group difference in test statement accuracy, the PTSD group also took significantly longer to respond to the test statements. Conclusions Overall, the results provide evidence for the control theory of attention but suggest that more direct measures of task-irrelevant processing during text-level reading are needed. More important, the results begin to lay a foundation for developing not only diagnostic but also intervention strategies.

MMPI Scores of Female Victims

1995 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-144E ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Robert Sinnett ◽  
Michael C. Holen ◽  
William L. Albott
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Private Practice ◽  
Small Town ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Hit Rate ◽  
Characteristic 2 ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Ptsd Group

Samples of MMPIs of women who were victims of abuse or manifested a Posttraumatic Stress Disorder were drawn from two private practice settings, one urban and one in a small town. Each PTSD sample included 21 persons. For comparison, two contrast samples of 15 persons each were drawn from the same populations. A cut-off point of T = 65 for PK yielded a 69% hit rate for classifying PTSD and contrast subjects. Since scores on PS and PK were so highly correlated, no independent analyses were warranted. Although the PTSD group yielded a more elevated mean profile, there were no characteristic 2-point codes. Therefore, PK is more useful in identifying Posttraumatic Stress Disorder than either profile elevation or configuration.

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