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Brown JC, Kweon J, Sharma P, Siddiqi SH, Isserles M, Ressler KJ. Critically Assessing the Unanswered Questions of How, Where, and When to Induce Plasticity in the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Network With Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Biol Psychiatry 2024:S0006-3223(24)01390-8. [PMID: 38909668 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Extinction of traumatic memory, a primary treatment approach (termed exposure therapy) in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), occurs through relearning and may be subserved at the molecular level by long-term potentiation of relevant circuits. In parallel, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is thought to work through long-term potentiation-like mechanisms and may provide a novel, safe, and effective treatment for PTSD. In a recent failed randomized controlled trial we emphasized the necessity of correctly identifying cortical targets, the directionality of TMS protocols, and the role of memory activation. Here, we provide a systematic review of TMS for PTSD to further identify how, where, and when TMS treatment should be delivered to alleviate PTSD symptoms. We conducted a systematic review of the literature by searching for repetitive TMS clinical trials involving patients with PTSD and outcomes. We searched MEDLINE through October 25, 2023, for "TMS and PTSD" and "transcranial magnetic stimulation and posttraumatic stress disorder." Thirty-one publications met our inclusion criteria (k = 17 randomized controlled trials, k = 14 open label). Randomized controlled trial protocols were varied in terms of TMS protocols, cortical TMS targets, and memory activation protocols. There was no clear superiority of low-frequency (k = 5) versus high-frequency (k = 6) protocols or by stimulation location. Memory provocation or exposure protocols (k = 7) appear to enhance response. Overall, TMS appears to be effective in treating PTSD symptoms across a variety of TMS frequencies, hemispheric target differences, and exposure protocols. Disparate protocols may be conceptually harmonized when viewed as potentiating proposed anxiolytic networks or suppressing anxiogenic networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua C Brown
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Jamie Kweon
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Prayushi Sharma
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Shan H Siddiqi
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Center for Brain Circuit Therapeutics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Moshe Isserles
- Department of Psychiatry, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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2
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Gao Y, Gao D, Zhang H, Zheng D, Du J, Yuan C, Mingxi Ma, Yin Y, Wang J, Zhang X, Wang Y. BLA DBS improves anxiety and fear by correcting weakened synaptic transmission from BLA to adBNST and CeL in a mouse model of foot shock. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113766. [PMID: 38349792 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the basal lateral amygdala (BLA) has been established to correct symptoms of refractory post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, how BLA DBS operates in correcting PTSD symptoms and how the BLA elicits pathological fear and anxiety in PTSD remain unclear. Here, we discover that excitatory synaptic transmission from the BLA projection neurons (PNs) to the adBNST, and lateral central amygdala (CeL) is greatly suppressed in a mouse PTSD model induced by foot shock (FS). BLA DBS revises the weakened inputs from the BLA to these two areas to improve fear and anxiety. Optogenetic manipulation of the BLA-adBNST and BLA-CeL circuits shows that both circuits are responsible for anxiety but the BLA-CeL for fear in FS mice. Our results reveal that synaptic transmission dysregulation of the BLA-adBNST or BLA-CeL circuits is reversed by BLA DBS, which improves anxiety and fear in the FS mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Gao
- Center of Cognition and Brain Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dawen Gao
- Center of Cognition and Brain Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Center of Cognition and Brain Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Danhao Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Jun Du
- Center of Cognition and Brain Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Yuan
- Center of Cognition and Brain Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mingxi Ma
- Center of Cognition and Brain Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Yin
- Center of Cognition and Brain Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Wuhan 430071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience & Learning and IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yizheng Wang
- Center of Cognition and Brain Science, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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3
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Chaposhloo M, Nicholson AA, Becker S, McKinnon MC, Lanius R, Shaw SB. Altered Resting-State functional connectivity in the anterior and posterior hippocampus in Post-traumatic stress disorder: The central role of the anterior hippocampus. Neuroimage Clin 2023; 38:103417. [PMID: 37148709 PMCID: PMC10193024 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2023.103417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-traumatic stress disorder can be viewed as a memory disorder, with trauma-related flashbacks being a core symptom. Given the central role of the hippocampus in autobiographical memory, surprisingly, there is mixed evidence concerning altered hippocampal functional connectivity in PTSD. We shed light on this discrepancy by considering the distinct roles of the anterior versus posterior hippocampus and examine how this distinction may map onto whole-brain resting-state functional connectivity patterns among those with and without PTSD. METHODS We first assessed whole-brain between-group differences in the functional connectivity profiles of the anterior and posterior hippocampus within a publicly available data set of resting-state fMRI data from 31 male Vietnam war veterans diagnosed with PTSD (mean age = 67.6 years, sd = 2.3) and 29 age-matched combat-exposed male controls (age = 69.1 years, sd = 3.5). Next, the connectivity patterns of each subject within the PTSD group were correlated with their PTSD symptom scores. Finally, the between-group differences in whole-brain functional connectivity profiles discovered for the anterior and posterior hippocampal seeds were used to prescribe post-hoc ROIs, which were then used to perform ROI-to-ROI functional connectivity and graph-theoretic analyses. RESULTS The PTSD group showed increased functional connectivity of the anterior hippocampus with affective brain regions (anterior/posterior insula, orbitofrontal cortex, temporal pole) and decreased functional connectivity of the anterior/posterior hippocampus with regions involved in processing bodily self-consciousness (supramarginal gyrus). Notably, decreased anterior hippocampus connectivity with the posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus was associated with increased PTSD symptom severity. The left anterior hippocampus also emerged as a central locus of abnormal functional connectivity, with graph-theoretic measures suggestive of a more central hub-like role for this region in those with PTSD compared to trauma-exposed controls. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight that the anterior hippocampus plays a critical role in the neurocircuitry underlying PTSD and underscore the importance of the differential roles of hippocampal sub-regions in serving as biomarkers of PTSD. Future studies should investigate whether the differential patterns of functional connectivity stemming from hippocampal sub-regions is observed in PTSD populations other than older war veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Chaposhloo
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew A Nicholson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Royal Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Suzanna Becker
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Saurabh Bhaskar Shaw
- Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
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4
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Lieberman JM, Rabellino D, Densmore M, Frewen PA, Steyrl D, Scharnowski F, Théberge J, Neufeld RWJ, Schmahl C, Jetly R, Narikuzhy S, Lanius RA, Nicholson AA. Posterior cingulate cortex targeted real-time fMRI neurofeedback recalibrates functional connectivity with the amygdala, posterior insula, and default-mode network in PTSD. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e2883. [PMID: 36791212 PMCID: PMC10013955 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations within large-scale brain networks-namely, the default mode (DMN) and salience networks (SN)-are present among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography neurofeedback studies suggest that regulating posterior cingulate cortex (PCC; the primary hub of the posterior DMN) activity may reduce PTSD symptoms and recalibrate altered network dynamics. However, PCC connectivity to the DMN and SN during PCC-targeted fMRI neurofeedback remains unexamined and may help to elucidate neurophysiological mechanisms through which these symptom improvements may occur. METHODS Using a trauma/emotion provocation paradigm, we investigated psychophysiological interactions over a single session of neurofeedback among PTSD (n = 14) and healthy control (n = 15) participants. We compared PCC functional connectivity between regulate (in which participants downregulated PCC activity) and view (in which participants did not exert regulatory control) conditions across the whole-brain as well as in a priori specified regions-of-interest. RESULTS During regulate as compared to view conditions, only the PTSD group showed significant PCC connectivity with anterior DMN (dmPFC, vmPFC) and SN (posterior insula) regions, whereas both groups displayed PCC connectivity with other posterior DMN areas (precuneus/cuneus). Additionally, as compared with controls, the PTSD group showed significantly greater PCC connectivity with the SN (amygdala) during regulate as compared to view conditions. Moreover, linear regression analyses revealed that during regulate as compared to view conditions, PCC connectivity to DMN and SN regions was positively correlated to psychiatric symptoms across all participants. CONCLUSION In summary, observations of PCC connectivity to the DMN and SN provide emerging evidence of neural mechanisms underlying PCC-targeted fMRI neurofeedback among individuals with PTSD. This supports the use of PCC-targeted neurofeedback as a means by which to recalibrate PTSD-associated alterations in neural connectivity within the DMN and SN, which together, may help to facilitate improved emotion regulation abilities in PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M Lieberman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniela Rabellino
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria Densmore
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul A Frewen
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Steyrl
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Frank Scharnowski
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jean Théberge
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Joseph's Healthcare, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard W J Neufeld
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christian Schmahl
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rakesh Jetly
- The Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Royal Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sandhya Narikuzhy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew A Nicholson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,The Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Royal Ottawa Hospital, Ontario, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.,Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
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5
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Gonda X, Dome P, Erdelyi-Hamza B, Krause S, Elek LP, Sharma SR, Tarazi FI. Invisible wounds: Suturing the gap between the neurobiology, conventional and emerging therapies for posttraumatic stress disorder. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2022; 61:17-29. [PMID: 35716404 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2022.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A sharp increase in the prevalence of neuropsychiatric disorders, including major depression, anxiety, substance use disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has occurred due to the traumatic nature of the persisting COVID-19 global pandemic. PTSD is estimated to occur in up to 25% of individuals following exposure to acute or chronic trauma, and the pandemic has inflicted both forms of trauma on much of the population through both direct physiological attack as well as an inherent upheaval to our sense of safety. However, despite significant advances in our ability to define and apprehend the effects of traumatic events, the neurobiology and neuroanatomical circuitry of PTSD, one of the most severe consequences of traumatic exposure, remains poorly understood. Furthermore, the current psychotherapies or pharmacological options for treatment have limited efficacy, durability, and low adherence rates. Consequently, there is a great need to better understand the neurobiology and neuroanatomy of PTSD and develop novel therapies that extend beyond the current limited treatments. This review summarizes the neurobiological and neuroanatomical underpinnings of PTSD and discusses the conventional and emerging psychotherapies, pharmacological and combined psychopharmacological therapies, including the use of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies and neuromodulatory interventions, for the improved treatment of PTSD and the potential for their wider applications in other neuropsychiatric disorders resulting from traumatic exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xenia Gonda
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Hungary; NAP-2-SE New Antidepressant Target Research Group, Semmelweis University, Hungary; International Centre for Education and Research in Neuropsychiatry, Samara State Medical University, Russia.
| | - Peter Dome
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Hungary; National Institute of Mental Health, Neurology and Neurosurgery - Nyiro Gyula Hospital, Hungary
| | - Berta Erdelyi-Hamza
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Hungary; Doctoral School of Mental Health Sciences, Semmelweis University, Hungary
| | - Sandor Krause
- National Institute of Mental Health, Neurology and Neurosurgery - Nyiro Gyula Hospital, Hungary; Doctoral School of Mental Health Sciences, Semmelweis University, Hungary; Department of Pharmacodynamics, Semmelweis University, Hungary
| | - Livia Priyanka Elek
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Hungary; Department of Clinical Psychology, Semmelweis University, Hungary
| | - Samata R Sharma
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Frank I Tarazi
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
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6
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Ressler KJ, Berretta S, Bolshakov VY, Rosso IM, Meloni EG, Rauch SL, Carlezon WA. Post-traumatic stress disorder: clinical and translational neuroscience from cells to circuits. Nat Rev Neurol 2022; 18:273-288. [PMID: 35352034 PMCID: PMC9682920 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-022-00635-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a maladaptive and debilitating psychiatric disorder, characterized by re-experiencing, avoidance, negative emotions and thoughts, and hyperarousal in the months and years following exposure to severe trauma. PTSD has a prevalence of approximately 6-8% in the general population, although this can increase to 25% among groups who have experienced severe psychological trauma, such as combat veterans, refugees and victims of assault. The risk of developing PTSD in the aftermath of severe trauma is determined by multiple factors, including genetics - at least 30-40% of the risk of PTSD is heritable - and past history, for example, prior adult and childhood trauma. Many of the primary symptoms of PTSD, including hyperarousal and sleep dysregulation, are increasingly understood through translational neuroscience. In addition, a large amount of evidence suggests that PTSD can be viewed, at least in part, as a disorder that involves dysregulation of normal fear processes. The neural circuitry underlying fear and threat-related behaviour and learning in mammals, including the amygdala-hippocampus-medial prefrontal cortex circuit, is among the most well-understood in behavioural neuroscience. Furthermore, the study of threat-responding and its underlying circuitry has led to rapid progress in understanding learning and memory processes. By combining molecular-genetic approaches with a translational, mechanistic knowledge of fear circuitry, transformational advances in the conceptual framework, diagnosis and treatment of PTSD are possible. In this Review, we describe the clinical features and current treatments for PTSD, examine the neurobiology of symptom domains, highlight genomic advances and discuss translational approaches to understanding mechanisms and identifying new treatments and interventions for this devastating syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry J Ressler
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Sabina Berretta
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vadim Y Bolshakov
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Isabelle M Rosso
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Edward G Meloni
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Scott L Rauch
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - William A Carlezon
- SPARED Center, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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7
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Averill LA, Jiang L, Purohit P, Coppoli A, Averill CL, Roscoe J, Kelmendi B, De Feyter HM, de Graaf RA, Gueorguieva R, Sanacora G, Krystal JH, Rothman DL, Mason GF, Abdallah CG. Prefrontal Glutamate Neurotransmission in PTSD: A Novel Approach to Estimate Synaptic Strength in Vivo in Humans. CHRONIC STRESS (THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF.) 2022; 6:24705470221092734. [PMID: 35434443 PMCID: PMC9008809 DOI: 10.1177/24705470221092734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Trauma and chronic stress are believed to induce and exacerbate psychopathology by disrupting glutamate synaptic strength. However, in vivo in human methods to estimate synaptic strength are limited. In this study, we established a novel putative biomarker of glutamatergic synaptic strength, termed energy-per-cycle (EPC). Then, we used EPC to investigate the role of prefrontal neurotransmission in trauma-related psychopathology. Methods Healthy controls (n = 18) and patients with posttraumatic stress (PTSD; n = 16) completed 13C-acetate magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) scans to estimate prefrontal EPC, which is the ratio of neuronal energetic needs per glutamate neurotransmission cycle (VTCA/VCycle). Results Patients with PTSD were found to have 28% reduction in prefrontal EPC (t = 3.0; df = 32, P = .005). There was no effect of sex on EPC, but age was negatively associated with prefrontal EPC across groups (r = -0.46, n = 34, P = .006). Controlling for age did not affect the study results. Conclusion The feasibility and utility of estimating prefrontal EPC using 13C-acetate MRS were established. Patients with PTSD were found to have reduced prefrontal glutamatergic synaptic strength. These findings suggest that reduced glutamatergic synaptic strength may contribute to the pathophysiology of PTSD and could be targeted by new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynnette A. Averill
- National Center for PTSD – Clinical Neurosciences Division, US
Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA,Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA,Menninger Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lihong Jiang
- Yale Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology and
Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Prerana Purohit
- National Center for PTSD – Clinical Neurosciences Division, US
Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Anastasia Coppoli
- Yale Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology and
Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Christopher L. Averill
- National Center for PTSD – Clinical Neurosciences Division, US
Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA,Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA,Menninger Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jeremy Roscoe
- National Center for PTSD – Clinical Neurosciences Division, US
Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Benjamin Kelmendi
- National Center for PTSD – Clinical Neurosciences Division, US
Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Henk M. De Feyter
- Yale Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology and
Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Robin A de Graaf
- Yale Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology and
Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ralitza Gueorguieva
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Gerard Sanacora
- National Center for PTSD – Clinical Neurosciences Division, US
Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - John H. Krystal
- National Center for PTSD – Clinical Neurosciences Division, US
Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Douglas L. Rothman
- Yale Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology and
Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Graeme F. Mason
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Yale Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology and
Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Chadi G. Abdallah
- National Center for PTSD – Clinical Neurosciences Division, US
Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA,Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA,Menninger Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Core for Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CAMRI), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA,Chadi G. Abdallah, Menninger Department of
Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, 1977 Butler Blvd, E4187, Houston, TX
77030, USA.
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8
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Nicholson AA, Rabellino D, Densmore M, Frewen PA, Steryl D, Scharnowski F, Théberge J, Neufeld RWJ, Schmahl C, Jetly R, Lanius RA. Differential mechanisms of posterior cingulate cortex downregulation and symptom decreases in posttraumatic stress disorder and healthy individuals using real-time fMRI neurofeedback. Brain Behav 2022; 12:e2441. [PMID: 34921746 PMCID: PMC8785646 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intrinsic connectivity networks, including the default mode network (DMN), are frequently disrupted in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) is the main hub of the posterior DMN, where the therapeutic regulation of this region with real-time fMRI neurofeedback (NFB) has yet to be explored. METHODS We investigated PCC downregulation while processing trauma/stressful words over 3 NFB training runs and a transfer run without NFB (total n = 29, PTSD n = 14, healthy controls n = 15). We also examined the predictive accuracy of machine learning models in classifying PTSD versus healthy controls during NFB training. RESULTS Both the PTSD and healthy control groups demonstrated reduced reliving symptoms in response to trauma/stressful stimuli, where the PTSD group additionally showed reduced symptoms of distress. We found that both groups were able to downregulate the PCC with similar success over NFB training and in the transfer run, although downregulation was associated with unique within-group decreases in activation within the bilateral dmPFC, bilateral postcentral gyrus, right amygdala/hippocampus, cingulate cortex, and bilateral temporal pole/gyri. By contrast, downregulation was associated with increased activation in the right dlPFC among healthy controls as compared to PTSD. During PCC downregulation, right dlPFC activation was negatively correlated to PTSD symptom severity scores and difficulties in emotion regulation. Finally, machine learning algorithms were able to classify PTSD versus healthy participants based on brain activation during NFB training with 80% accuracy. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to investigate PCC downregulation with real-time fMRI NFB in both PTSD and healthy controls. Our results reveal acute decreases in symptoms over training and provide converging evidence for EEG-NFB targeting brain networks linked to the PCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Nicholson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Rabellino
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria Densmore
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul A Frewen
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Steryl
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Frank Scharnowski
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jean Théberge
- Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Joseph's Healthcare, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard W J Neufeld
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christian Schmahl
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rakesh Jetly
- Canadian Forces, Health Services, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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9
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Reinhard MA, Seifert J, Greiner T, Toto S, Bleich S, Grohmann R. Pharmacotherapy of 1,044 inpatients with posttraumatic stress disorder: current status and trends in German-speaking countries. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2021; 271:1065-1076. [PMID: 33369692 PMCID: PMC8354906 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-020-01223-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychiatric disorder with limited approved pharmacological treatment options and high symptom burden. Therefore, real-life prescription patterns may differ from guideline recommendations, especially in psychiatric inpatient settings. The European Drug Safety Program in Psychiatry ("Arzneimittelsicherheit in der Psychiatrie", AMSP) collects inpatients' prescription rates cross-sectionally twice a year in German-speaking psychiatric hospitals. For this study, the AMSP database was screened for psychiatric inpatients with a primary diagnosis of PTSD between 2001 and 2017. N = 1,044 patients with a primary diagnosis of PTSD were identified with 89.9% taking psychotropics. The average prescription rate was 2.4 (standard deviation: 1.5) psychotropics per patient with high rates of antidepressant drugs (72.0%), antipsychotics drugs (58.4%) and tranquilizing drugs (29.3%). The presence of psychiatric comorbidities was associated with higher rates of psychotropic drug use. The most often prescribed substances were quetiapine (24.1% of all patients), lorazepam (18.1%) and mirtazapine (15.0%). The use of drugs approved for PTSD was low (sertraline 11.1%; paroxetine 3.7%). Prescription rates of second-generation antipsychotic drugs increased, while the use of tranquilizing drugs declined over the years. High prescription rates and extensive use of sedative medication suggest a symptom-driven prescription (e.g., hyperarousal, insomnia) that can only be explained to a minor extent by existing comorbidities. The observed discrepancy with existing guidelines underlines the need for effective pharmacological and psychological treatment options in psychiatric inpatient settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias A Reinhard
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital Munich, Nußbaumstr. 7, 80336, Munich, Bavaria, Germany.
| | - Johanna Seifert
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Timo Greiner
- Brandenburg Medical School, Immanuel Klinik Rüdersdorf, University Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Seebad 82/83, 15562, Rüdersdorf bei Berlin, Germany
| | - Sermin Toto
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefan Bleich
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Renate Grohmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital Munich, Nußbaumstr. 7, 80336, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
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10
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Mohammadi-Farani A, Limoee M, Shirooie S. Sodium butyrate enhances fear extinction and rescues hippocampal acetylcholinesterase activity in a rat model of posttraumatic stress disorder. Behav Pharmacol 2021; 32:413-421. [PMID: 33883448 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
It is believed that impaired extinction of fear memories is an underlying cause for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Histone deacetylases (HDAC) are enzymes that modulate extinction by changing the chromatin structure and altering protein synthesis in the brain. Studies show that stress modifies both HDAC activity and cerebral cholinergic neurotransmission. The present work aims to evaluate the effect of sodium butyrate (NaBu), an HDAC inhibitor, on behavioral markers of extinction and biochemical changes in HDAC and acetylcholinesterase activity in the hippocampus. NaBu was administered for 7 days in a group of rats that were exposed to single prolonged stress (SPS), as a model for PTSD. Contextual fear conditioning was performed on the 8th day, and fear extinction was measured in the next 4 consecutive days. Other behavioral tests to measure anxiety, locomotor activity and working memory were performed for further interpretation of the results. Hippocampal acetylcholinesterase and HDAC activity were also measured through biochemical tests. Behavioral results showed that treatment with NaBu can reverse the SPS-induced extinction deficits. Biochemical data indicated that while SPS induced overactivity in hippocampal HDAC, it decreased acetylcholinesterase activity in the region. Both effects were reversed after NaBu treatment. It seems that at least part of extinction deficiency in SPS exposed rats is related to hypoacetylation of acetylcholinesterase in the hippocampus. Preemptive therapy with an HDAC inhibitor reverses this process and is worth further evaluation as a possible therapeutic approach in PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Mohammadi-Farani
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Centre, Health Institute
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy
| | - Mazdak Limoee
- Nano Drug Delivery Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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11
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Nicholson AA, Ros T, Densmore M, Frewen PA, Neufeld RWJ, Théberge J, Jetly R, Lanius RA. A randomized, controlled trial of alpha-rhythm EEG neurofeedback in posttraumatic stress disorder: A preliminary investigation showing evidence of decreased PTSD symptoms and restored default mode and salience network connectivity using fMRI. Neuroimage Clin 2020; 28:102490. [PMID: 33395981 PMCID: PMC7708928 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The default-mode network (DMN) and salience network (SN) have been shown to display altered connectivity in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Restoring aberrant connectivity within these networks with electroencephalogram neurofeedback (EEG-NFB) has been shown previously to be associated with acute decreases in symptoms. Here, we conducted a double-blind, sham-controlled randomized trial of alpha-rhythm EEG-NFB in participants with PTSD (n = 36) over 20-weeks. Our aim was to provide mechanistic evidence underlying clinical improvements by examining changes in network connectivity via fMRI. METHODS We randomly assigned participants with a primary diagnosis of PTSD to either the experimental group (n = 18) or sham-control group (n = 18). We collected resting-state fMRI scans pre- and post-NFB intervention, for both the experimental and sham-control PTSD groups. We further compared baseline brain connectivity measures pre-NFB to age-matched healthy controls (n = 36). RESULTS With regard to the primary outcome measure of PTSD severity, we found a significant main effect of time in the absence of a group × time interaction. Nevertheless, we found significantly decreased PTSD severity scores in the experimental NFB group only, when comparing post-NFB (dz = 0.71) and 3-month follow-up scores (dz = 0.77) to baseline measures. Interestingly, we found evidence to suggest a shift towards normalization of DMN and SN connectivity post-NFB in the experimental group only. Both decreases in PTSD severity and NFB performance were correlated to DMN and SN connectivity post-NFB in the experimental group. Critically, remission rates of PTSD were significant higher in the experimental group (61.1%) as compared to the sham-control group (33.3%). CONCLUSION The current study shows mechanistic evidence for therapeutic changes in DMN and SN connectivity that are known to be associated with PTSD psychopathology with no patient dropouts. This preliminary investigation merits further research to demonstrate fully the clinical efficacy of EEG-NFB as an adjunctive therapy for PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Nicholson
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Tomas Ros
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Campus Biotech, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maria Densmore
- Departments of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Paul A Frewen
- Departments of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Departments of Psychology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Richard W J Neufeld
- Departments of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Departments of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Departments of Psychology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jean Théberge
- Departments of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Departments of Psychology, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Departments of Medical Imaging, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Joseph's Healthcare, London, ON, Canada
| | - Rakesh Jetly
- Canadian Forces, Health Services, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth A Lanius
- Departments of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Departments of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Imaging, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.
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12
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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Is Associated with α Dysrhythmia across the Visual Cortex and the Default Mode Network. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO.0053-20.2020. [PMID: 32690671 PMCID: PMC7405069 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0053-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Anomalies in default mode network (DMN) activity and α (8–12 Hz) oscillations have been independently observed in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recent spatiotemporal analyses suggest that α oscillations support DMN functioning via interregional synchronization and sensory cortical inhibition. Therefore, we examined a unifying pathology of α deficits in the visual-cortex-DMN system in PTSD. Human patients with PTSD (N = 25) and two control groups, patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; N = 24) and healthy controls (HCs; N = 20), underwent a standard eyes-open resting state (S-RS) and a modified resting state (M-RS) of passively viewing salient images (known to deactivate the DMN). High-density electroencephalogram (hdEEG) were recorded, from which intracortical α activity (power and connectivity/Granger causality) was extracted using the exact low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (eLORETA). Patients with PTSD (vs GAD/HC) demonstrated attenuated α power in the visual cortex (VC) and key hubs of the DMN [posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)] at both states, the severity of which further correlated with hypervigilance symptoms. With increased visual input (at M-RS vs S-RS), patients with PTSD further demonstrated reduced α-frequency directed connectivity within the DMN (PCC→mPFC) and, importantly, from the VC to both DMN hubs (VC→PCC and VC→mPFC), linking α deficits in the two systems. These interrelated α deficits align with DMN hypoactivity/hypoconnectivity, sensory disinhibition, and hypervigilance in PTSD, representing a unifying neural underpinning of these anomalies. The identification of visual-cortex-DMN α dysrhythmia in PTSD further presents a novel therapeutic target, promoting network-based intervention of neural oscillations.
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13
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Mohammadi-Farani A, Pourmotabbed A, Ardeshirizadeh Y. Effects of HDAC inhibitors on spatial memory and memory extinction in SPS-induced PTSD rats. Res Pharm Sci 2020; 15:241-248. [PMID: 33088324 PMCID: PMC7540814 DOI: 10.4103/1735-5362.288426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose Neurobiological changes in memory processes seem to play a role in the pathophysiology of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Memory itself is influenced by PTSD, too. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDAIs) have shown promising results in the extinction of fear-related memories in animals and hence they seem to be important for the treatment of PTSD. Data are scarce about the effect of HDAIs in spatial memory formation/extinction in PTSD models. The main goal of the present work is to find the effect of sodium butyrate (NaBu), as an HDAI, on spatial memory and spatial memory extinction in rats exposed to single prolonged stress procedure (SPS). Experimental approach Different doses of NaBu were administered subcutaneously for 7 days in different groups of rats after SPS procedure. Learning, memory, and extinction of memory were evaluated in the Morris water maze test of spatial memory in 6 consecutive days. Findings / Results The results show that NaBu (0.5 mg/kg) alleviates impaired learning and memory in SPS rats. It also facilitates the extinction of newly formed memory in the animals. Conclusion and implications Our data suggest that the administration of HDAIs after a traumatic experience can prevent the aversive effects of SPS on spatial memory. It also reinforces the notion that extinction of spatial memory involves the same or similar brain circuitry that is involved in the extinction of fear memories in PTSD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Mohammadi-Farani
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, I.R. Iran.,Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Medical Services, School of Pharmacy, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, I.R. Iran
| | - Ali Pourmotabbed
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, I.R. Iran
| | - Yazdan Ardeshirizadeh
- Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, I.R. Iran
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14
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Wall PH, Convoy SP, Braybrook CJ. Military Service–Related Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Finding a Way Home. Nurs Clin North Am 2019; 54:503-515. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cnur.2019.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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15
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Abdallah CG, Roache JD, Averill LA, Young-McCaughan S, Martini B, Gueorguieva R, Amoroso T, Southwick SM, Guthmiller K, López-Roca AL, Lautenschlager K, Mintz J, Litz BT, Williamson DE, Keane TM, Peterson AL, Krystal JH. Repeated ketamine infusions for antidepressant-resistant PTSD: Methods of a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Contemp Clin Trials 2019; 81:11-18. [PMID: 30999057 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2019.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating disorder with limited medication treatment options. Recent reports have described the dearth of research on new drug development as a crisis in the pharmacotherapy of PTSD. There are only two PTSD medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and both are serotonergic antidepressants. Therefore, there is a tremendous need to identify more effective and more rapidly acting pharmacotherapies for PTSD that work through novel neural mechanisms. Pilot evidence and case reports provided preliminary evidence supporting the safety and utility of investigating the therapeutic effects of ketamine in PTSD. However, the efficacy of this drug for PTSD has not yet been tested in active duty military or veteran populations. Here, we report the design and methods of a study funded under the Consortium to Alleviate PTSD. The study is a multisite, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial to examine the dose-related efficacy of ketamine, as compared to placebo, in producing a rapid and sustained reduction in PTSD symptomatology in veterans and active duty military populations with antidepressant-resistant PTSD. Approximately 198 eligible participants who meet criteria for PTSD will be randomized to the study drug (i.e., ketamine 0.5 mg/kg, ketamine 0.2 mg/kg, or placebo). The study drug will be administered intravenously twice per week for 4 weeks, followed by a 4-week follow-up period. This ongoing study is the only trial of therapeutic effects of ketamine for PTSD and the first placebo-controlled trial to determine the dose-related effects of repeated ketamine on PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chadi G Abdallah
- National Center for PTSD, Clinical Neurosciences Division, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - John D Roache
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
| | - Lynnette A Averill
- National Center for PTSD, Clinical Neurosciences Division, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Stacey Young-McCaughan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
| | - Brenda Martini
- National Center for PTSD, Clinical Neurosciences Division, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Ralitza Gueorguieva
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Timothy Amoroso
- National Center for PTSD, Clinical Neurosciences Division, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Steven M Southwick
- National Center for PTSD, Clinical Neurosciences Division, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Kevin Guthmiller
- Department of Pain Management, Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Argelio L López-Roca
- Department of Behavioral Health, Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Karl Lautenschlager
- Department of Pain Management, Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Jim Mintz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
| | - Brett T Litz
- Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Douglas E Williamson
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Terence M Keane
- National Center for PTSD, Behavioral Science Division, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Alan L Peterson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; Research and Development Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
| | - John H Krystal
- National Center for PTSD, Clinical Neurosciences Division, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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16
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Abdallah CG, Averill LA, Akiki TJ, Raza M, Averill CL, Gomaa H, Adikey A, Krystal JH. The Neurobiology and Pharmacotherapy of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2019; 59:171-189. [PMID: 30216745 PMCID: PMC6326888 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010818-021701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
New approaches to the neurobiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are needed to address the reported crisis in PTSD drug development. These new approaches may require the field to move beyond a narrow fear-based perspective, as fear-based medications have not yet demonstrated compelling efficacy. Antidepressants, particularly recent rapid-acting antidepressants, exert complex effects on brain function and structure that build on novel aspects of the biology of PTSD, including a role for stress-related synaptic dysconnectivity in the neurobiology and treatment of PTSD. Here, we integrate this perspective within a broader framework-in other words, a dual pathology model of ( a) stress-related synaptic loss arising from amino acid-based pathology and ( b) stress-related synaptic gain related to monoamine-based pathology. Then, we summarize the standard and experimental (e.g., ketamine) pharmacotherapeutic options for PTSD and discuss their putative mechanism of action and clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chadi G Abdallah
- Clinical Neuroscience Division, Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA
| | - Lynnette A Averill
- Clinical Neuroscience Division, Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA
| | - Teddy J Akiki
- Clinical Neuroscience Division, Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA
| | - Mohsin Raza
- Clinical Neuroscience Division, Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA
| | - Christopher L Averill
- Clinical Neuroscience Division, Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA
| | - Hassaan Gomaa
- Clinical Neuroscience Division, Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA
| | - Archana Adikey
- Clinical Neuroscience Division, Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA
| | - John H Krystal
- Clinical Neuroscience Division, Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA
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17
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Affiliation(s)
- Teddy J. Akiki
- Clinical Neurosciences Division-VA National Center for PTSD, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 950 Campbell Ave, #151E, West Haven, CT 06516.,National Center for PTSD-Clinical Neurosciences Division, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Chadi G. Abdallah
- National Center for PTSD-Clinical Neurosciences Division, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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18
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Abdallah CG, Sanacora G, Duman RS, Krystal JH. The neurobiology of depression, ketamine and rapid-acting antidepressants: Is it glutamate inhibition or activation? Pharmacol Ther 2018; 190:148-158. [PMID: 29803629 PMCID: PMC6165688 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of the antidepressant effects of ketamine has opened a breakthrough opportunity to develop a truly novel class of safe, effective, and rapid-acting antidepressants (RAADs). In addition, the rapid and robust biological and behavioral effects of ketamine offered a unique opportunity to utilize the drug as a tool to thoroughly investigate the neurobiology of stress and depression in animals, and to develop sensitive and reproducible biomarkers in humans. The ketamine literature over the past two decades has considerably enriched our understanding of the mechanisms underlying chronic stress, depression, and RAADs. However, considering the complexity of the pharmacokinetics and in vivo pharmacodynamics of ketamine, several questions remain unanswered and, at times, even answered questions continue to be considered controversial or at least not fully understood. The current perspective paper summarizes our understanding of the neurobiology of depression, and the mechanisms of action of ketamine and other RAADs. The review focuses on the role of glutamate neurotransmission - reviewing the history of the "glutamate inhibition" and "glutamate activation" hypotheses, proposing a synaptic connectivity model of chronic stress pathology, and describing the mechanism of action of ketamine. It will also summarize the clinical efficacy findings of putative RAADs, present relevant human biomarker findings, and discuss current challenges and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chadi G Abdallah
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA; Clinical Neuroscience Division, Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, USA.
| | - Gerard Sanacora
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, USA
| | - Ronald S Duman
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA; Clinical Neuroscience Division, Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, USA
| | - John H Krystal
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA; Clinical Neuroscience Division, Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, USA
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19
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Akiki TJ, Averill CL, Wrocklage KM, Scott JC, Averill LA, Schweinsburg B, Alexander-Bloch A, Martini B, Southwick SM, Krystal JH, Abdallah CG. Default mode network abnormalities in posttraumatic stress disorder: A novel network-restricted topology approach. Neuroimage 2018; 176:489-498. [PMID: 29730491 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Disruption in the default mode network (DMN) has been implicated in numerous neuropsychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, studies have largely been limited to seed-based methods and involved inconsistent definitions of the DMN. Recent advances in neuroimaging and graph theory now permit the systematic exploration of intrinsic brain networks. In this study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), diffusion MRI, and graph theoretical analyses to systematically examine the DMN connectivity and its relationship with PTSD symptom severity in a cohort of 65 combat-exposed US Veterans. We employed metrics that index overall connectivity strength, network integration (global efficiency), and network segregation (clustering coefficient). Then, we conducted a modularity and network-based statistical analysis to identify DMN regions of particular importance in PTSD. Finally, structural connectivity analyses were used to probe whether white matter abnormalities are associated with the identified functional DMN changes. We found decreased DMN functional connectivity strength to be associated with increased PTSD symptom severity. Further topological characterization suggests decreased functional integration and increased segregation in subjects with severe PTSD. Modularity analyses suggest a spared connectivity in the posterior DMN community (posterior cingulate, precuneus, angular gyrus) despite overall DMN weakened connections with increasing PTSD severity. Edge-wise network-based statistical analyses revealed a prefrontal dysconnectivity. Analysis of the diffusion networks revealed no alterations in overall strength or prefrontal structural connectivity. DMN abnormalities in patients with severe PTSD symptoms are characterized by decreased overall interconnections. On a finer scale, we found a pattern of prefrontal dysconnectivity, but increased cohesiveness in the posterior DMN community and relative sparing of connectivity in this region. The DMN measures established in this study may serve as a biomarker of disease severity and could have potential utility in developing circuit-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teddy J Akiki
- National Center for PTSD - Clinical Neurosciences Division, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Christopher L Averill
- National Center for PTSD - Clinical Neurosciences Division, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kristen M Wrocklage
- National Center for PTSD - Clinical Neurosciences Division, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, Department of Psychology, Wallingford, CT, USA
| | - J Cobb Scott
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; VISN4 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lynnette A Averill
- National Center for PTSD - Clinical Neurosciences Division, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Brian Schweinsburg
- National Center for PTSD - Clinical Neurosciences Division, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Brenda Martini
- National Center for PTSD - Clinical Neurosciences Division, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Steven M Southwick
- National Center for PTSD - Clinical Neurosciences Division, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - John H Krystal
- National Center for PTSD - Clinical Neurosciences Division, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Chadi G Abdallah
- National Center for PTSD - Clinical Neurosciences Division, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Akiki TJ, Averill CL, Abdallah CG. A Network-Based Neurobiological Model of PTSD: Evidence From Structural and Functional Neuroimaging Studies. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2017; 19:81. [PMID: 28924828 PMCID: PMC5960989 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-017-0840-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Although a fine-grained understanding of the neurobiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is yet to be elucidated, the last two decades have seen a rapid growth in the study of PTSD using neuroimaging techniques. The current review summarizes important findings from functional and structural neuroimaging studies of PTSD, by primarily focusing on their relevance towards an emerging network-based neurobiological model of the disorder. RECENT FINDINGS PTSD may be characterized by a weakly connected and hypoactive default mode network (DMN) and central executive network (CEN) that are putatively destabilized by an overactive and hyperconnected salience network (SN), which appears to have a low threshold for perceived saliency, and inefficient DMN-CEN modulation. There is considerable evidence for large-scale functional and structural network dysfunction in PTSD. Nevertheless, several limitations and gaps in the literature need to be addressed in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teddy J. Akiki
- National Center for PTSD – Clinical Neurosciences Division, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, Connecticut,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Christopher L. Averill
- National Center for PTSD – Clinical Neurosciences Division, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, Connecticut,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Chadi G. Abdallah
- National Center for PTSD – Clinical Neurosciences Division, US Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, Connecticut,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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