Animal models of post-traumatic stress disorder

2019 ◽  
pp. 324-342
Author(s):  
Lisa Heltzel ◽  
Judith R Homberg
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Learning And Memory ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Fear Learning ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Core Symptoms

Fear learning and memory allows organisms to respond adaptively to cues and contexts that are associated with danger upon a future encounter. Sometimes fear responses go awry, leading to an intrusive fear memory failing to extinguish, eliciting an intense, distressing, and persisting response. These are core symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There are substantial individual differences in fear learning and memory, such that some are resilient and other are vulnerable to PTSD. In this chapter we set-out the methods to measure fear learning and memory in rodents, discuss their translational value, and present currently available behavioural methods to measure resilience versus vulnerability. Regarding vulnerability factors we focus on biological factors (e.g. altered function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis), genotype (e.g. serotonin transporter, BDNF), age (pre-adolescence, adolescence, adulthood), and gender. This chapter provides a snapshot of the state-of-the-art of animal and behavioural models to investigate individual differences in vulnerability to PTSD.

scholarly journals Using fMRI connectivity to define a treatment-resistant form of post-traumatic stress disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (486) ◽  
pp. eaal3236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Etkin ◽  
Adi Maron-Katz ◽  
Wei Wu ◽  
Gregory A. Fonzo ◽  
Julia Huemer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Word List ◽  
Poor Response ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Direct Stimulation ◽  
Post Traumatic

A mechanistic understanding of the pathology of psychiatric disorders has been hampered by extensive heterogeneity in biology, symptoms, and behavior within diagnostic categories that are defined subjectively. We investigated whether leveraging individual differences in information-processing impairments in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could reveal phenotypes within the disorder. We found that a subgroup of patients with PTSD from two independent cohorts displayed both aberrant functional connectivity within the ventral attention network (VAN) as revealed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) neuroimaging and impaired verbal memory on a word list learning task. This combined phenotype was not associated with differences in symptoms or comorbidities, but nonetheless could be used to predict a poor response to psychotherapy, the best-validated treatment for PTSD. Using concurrent focal noninvasive transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography, we then identified alterations in neural signal flow in the VAN that were evoked by direct stimulation of that network. These alterations were associated with individual differences in functional fMRI connectivity within the VAN. Our findings define specific neurobiological mechanisms in a subgroup of patients with PTSD that could contribute to the poor response to psychotherapy.

scholarly journals Isoflurane Suppresses Stress-enhanced Fear Learning in a Rodent Model of Post–Traumatic Stress Disorder

2009 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 487-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinuta Rau ◽  
Irene Oh ◽  
Michael Laster ◽  
Edmond I. Eger ◽  
Michael S. Fanselow
Keyword(s):  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Rodent Model ◽  
Fear Learning ◽  
Fear Response ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Inhaled Anesthetic

Background A minority of patients who experience awareness and/or pain during surgery subsequently develop post-traumatic stress disorder. In a rodent model of post-traumatic stress disorder, stress-enhanced fear learning (SEFL), rats are preexposed to a stressor of 15 foot shocks. Subsequent exposure to a single foot shock produces an enhanced fear response. This effect is akin to sensitized reactions shown by some post-traumatic stress disorder patients to cues previously associated with the traumatic event. Methods The authors studied the effect of isoflurane and nitrous oxide on SEFL. Rats were exposed to the inhaled anesthetic during or after a 15-foot shock stressor. Then, rats were given a single foot shock in a different environment. Their fear response was quantified in response to the 15-foot shock and single-foot shock environments. SEFL longevity was tested by placing a 90-day period between the 15 foot shocks and the single foot shock. In addition, the intensity of the foot shock was increased to evaluate treatment effectiveness. Results Increasing isoflurane concentrations decreased SEFL when given during, but not after, the stressor. At 0.40 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), isoflurane given during the stressor blocked SEFL 90 days later. A threefold increase in the stressor intensity increased the isoflurane concentration required to block SEFL to no more than 0.67 MAC. As with isoflurane, nitrous oxide suppressed SEFL at a similar MAC fraction. Conclusions These results suggest that sufficient concentrations (perhaps 0.67 MAC or less) of an inhaled anesthetic may prevent SEFL.

scholarly journals Intrusive re-experiencing of chronic strife or war

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. N. Schreuder ◽  
V. Igreja ◽  
J. van Dijk ◽  
W. Kleijn
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
The Core ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Core Symptoms

The most important psychiatric implication of experiencing trauma during war is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The core symptoms of PTSD are intrusive re-experiencing of traumatic events, hyperarousal in reaction to minor stimuli and avoidance of trauma-related triggers. In this paper we describe the phenomenon of intrusive reexperiencing, of which the post-traumatic nightmare (PTNM) is an impressive manifestation that causes considerable distress (Mellman et al, 1995; Schreuder, 1996; Ørner & de Loos, 1998; Schreuder et al, 1998).

scholarly journals Post-traumatic stress disorder in Italy: a comprehensive evaluation of all the ICD comorbidities and gender-related differences

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Ferretti ◽  
Andrea Pozza ◽  
Letizia Bossini ◽  
Serena Desantis ◽  
Miriam Olivola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Connective Tissue Diseases ◽  
Italian Population ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
And Gender

Abstract Objectives The association between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and medical comorbidities is controversial since most studies focused on specific comorbidity and victim types. In Italy, data on this issue are scarce. A comprehensive evaluation of all the ICD medical categories co-occurring in PTSD may orient assessment and treatment during clinical and forensic practice. This is the first study evaluating all the ICD physical comorbidities and gender-related differences in Italian PTSD patients. Eighty-four PTSD patients (36 females, 48 males) were included. The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and Davidson Trauma Scale were administered. Results Most patients had a PTSD consequent to an accident and half of them presented extreme symptom severity. No gender differences emerged on symptom severity/duration and age at the event. Metabolic (39.29%), circulatory (20.24%) and musculoskeletal systems/connective tissue diseases (17.86%) were the most frequent comorbidities. Metabolic/circulatory diseases were more frequent among males (p = 0.019 and p = 0.027, respectively) while females more frequently showed neoplasms (p = 0.039). Physical comorbidities represent a serious complication in PTSD patients and are more prevalent than in the Italian population. While gender is not associated with symptom presentation, it seems to play a key role in specific comorbidities including metabolic, circulatory and neoplastic diseases.

scholarly journals The Reward System and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Does Trauma Affect the Way We Interact With Positive Stimuli?

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 247054702199600
Author(s):  
Rebecca Seidemann ◽  
Or Duek ◽  
Ruonan Jia ◽  
Ifat Levy ◽  
Ilan Harpaz-Rotem
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Reward System ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Fear Learning ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent disorder and a highly debilitating condition. Although anhedonia is an important construct of the disorder, the relationship between PTSD and reward functioning is still under-researched. To date, the majority of research on PTSD has focused on fear: fear learning, maintenance, and extinction. Here we review the relevant literature—including clinical observations, self-report data, neuroimaging research, and animal studies—in order to examine the potential effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on the reward system. Our current lack of sufficient insight into how trauma affects the reward system is one possible hindrance to clinical progress. The current review highlights the need for further investigation into the complex relationship between exposure to trauma and the reward system to further our understandings of the ethology of PTSD.

scholarly journals Neurobiological correlates of distinct post-traumatic stress disorder symptom profiles during threat anticipation in combat veterans

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (9) ◽  
pp. 1885-1895 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Grupe ◽  
J. Wielgosz ◽  
R. J. Davidson ◽  
J. B. Nitschke
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Combat Veterans ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Distinct Region ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Male Veterans ◽  
Post Traumatic

BackgroundPrevious research in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has identified disrupted ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) function in those with v. without PTSD. It is unclear whether this brain region is uniformly affected in all individuals with PTSD, or whether vmPFC dysfunction is related to individual differences in discrete features of this heterogeneous disorder.MethodIn a sample of 51 male veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom, we collected functional magnetic resonance imaging data during a novel threat anticipation task with crossed factors of threat condition and temporal unpredictability. Voxelwise regression analyses related anticipatory brain activation to individual differences in overall PTSD symptom severity, as well as individual differences in discrete symptom subscales (re-experiencing, emotional numbing/avoidance, and hyperarousal).ResultsThe vmPFC showed greater anticipatory responses for safety relative to threat, driven primarily by deactivation during threat anticipation. During unpredictable threat anticipation, increased PTSD symptoms were associated with relatively greater activation for threat v. safety. However, simultaneous regression on individual symptom subscales demonstrated that this effect was driven specifically by individual differences in hyperarousal symptoms. Furthermore, this analysis revealed an additional, anatomically distinct region of the vmPFC in which re-experiencing symptoms were associated with greater activation during threat anticipation.ConclusionsIncreased anticipatory responses to unpredictable threat in distinct vmPFC subregions were uniquely associated with elevated hyperarousal and re-experiencing symptoms in combat veterans. These results underscore the disruptive impact of uncertainty for veterans, and suggest that investigating individual differences in discrete aspects of PTSD may advance our understanding of underlying neurobiological mechanisms.

scholarly journals Music Alleviates Learning and Memory Impairments in an Animal Model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 7775-7784
Keyword(s):  
Learning And Memory ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Memory Impairments ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
Male Wistar Rats ◽  
Post Traumatic

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most prevalent disorder that occurs after experiencing life-threatening traumatic or stressful events. The most prevalent problems among PTSD patients are cognitive dysfunctions, including learning and memory impairments. Listening to music has constructive effects on brain functions, neurogenesis, and neuroplasticity, so the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of music on learning and memory in a rat model of PTSD. Fifty-six adult male Wistar rats (200–250 gr) divided into four main groups (control, music, PTSD, and PTSD+ music) were used. A single prolonged stress (SPS) method was used for inducing PTSD in rats. Anxiety-like behaviors and Cognitive functions were evaluated using the Open field, Morris water maze (MWM), and passive avoidance test. Findings demonstrated that SPS induced marked impairment in learning and memory, and anxiolytic behaviors in rats and exposure to music significantly ameliorated these impairments. It seems that music can modulate the destructive effects of SPS on learning and memory at a behavioral level.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document