Neural correlates of traumatic memories in posttraumatic stress disorder: a functional MRI investigation.

Lanius, R A; Williamson, P C; Densmore, M; Boksman, K; Gupta, M A; Neufeld, R W; Gati, J S; Menon, R S · Am J Psychiatry · 2001

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Abstract

The neuronal circuitry underlying posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was studied in traumatized subjects with and without PTSD. Traumatized subjects with (N=9) and without (N=9) PTSD were studied by using the script-driven symptom provocation paradigm adapted to functional magnetic resonance imaging at a 4-T field strength. PTSD subjects showed significantly less activation of the thalamus, the anterior cingulate gyrus (Brodmann's area 32), and the medial frontal gyrus (Brodmann's area 10/11) than did the comparison subjects. The findings suggest anterior cingulate, frontal, and thalamic involvement in the neuronal circuitry underlying PTSD.

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