Brain-Imaging Studies of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Israel Liberzon, K. Luan Phan

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

84 Scopus citations

Abstract

Brain-imaging studies of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have rapidly increased in recent years. Structural studies have identified potential smaller volumes of the hippocampus of traumatized and/or PTSD subjects. Functional activation studies have implicated hyperactive or altered functioning of brain regions, such as the amygdala and the insula, and a failure to engage emotional regulatory structures, such as the medial prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex. Recent neurochemical investigations have suggested that neuromodulatory systems (eg, γ-aminobutyric acid, μ-opioid) may underlie these aberrant brain activation patterns. This article reviews the literature on structural, functional, and neurochemical brain-imaging studies of PTSD.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)641-650
Number of pages10
JournalCNS spectrums
Volume8
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Brain-Imaging Studies of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this