Amygdala Volume Changes in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a Large Case-Controlled Veterans Group

摘要: Context Smaller hippocampal volumes are well established in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the relatively few studies of amygdala volume PTSD have produced equivocal results. Objective To assess a large cohort recent military veterans with and trauma-exposed control subjects, sufficient power to perform definitive assessment effect on volumetric changes hippocampus contribution illness duration, trauma load, depressive symptoms. Design Case-controlled design structural magnetic resonance imaging clinical diagnostic assessments. We controlled statistically for important potential confounds alcohol use, depression, medication use. Setting Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, which is located proximity major bases. Patients Ambulatory patients (n = 200) recruited from registry service members serving after September 11, 2001, including group current (n = 99) comparison without (n = 101). Main Outcome Measure Amygdala computed automated segmentation high-resolution 3-T imaging. Results was demonstrated compared non-PTSD left (P = .002), right (P = .01), (P = .02) not (P = .25). were associated chronicity, or severity Conclusions These results provide clear evidence an association between smaller PTSD. The lack correlation load chronicity suggests that represents vulnerability developing dose-response relationship volume. Our may trigger renewed impetus investigating differences amygdala, its genetic determinants, environmental modulators, possibility it reflects intrinsic