Predisposing risk factors for PTSD: Brain biomarkers

Talma Hendler, Roee Admon

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis entails exposure to an external stressful event. Regarding such event as a reference point for disease onset represents a unique opportunity to investigate which, if any, of the neural abnormalities that characterize PTSD constitute a predisposing (pre-exposure) risk factor. This chapter reviews findings from four novel research strategies in PTSD neuroimaging, including prospective, environmental, twin, and genetic studies together suggesting that abnormal structure, function, and connectivity within the amygdala and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex circuitry may represent predisposing neural abnormalities that existed prior to exposure to trauma and increased the likelihood to develop PTSD following it. Considering the emotional–cognitive functions of this neural circuit, we further postulate that exaggerated fear generation and dysfunctional regulation of fear may represent predisposing behavioral phenotypes leading to PTSD symptom cluster of hyperarousal.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationComprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders
EditorsColin R. Martin, Victor R Preedy, Vinood B. Patel
Place of PublicationSwitzerland
PublisherSpringer
Pages61-75
Number of pages15
Edition2016
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-319-08359-9
ISBN (Print)978-3-319-08360-5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016

Publication series

NameComprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders. Cham: Springer International Publishing

Keywords

  • Stress Neuroimaging Fear extinction Risk factor Amygdala

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