Altered white matter microstructural organization in posttraumatic stress disorder across 3047 adults: Results from the PGC-ENIGMA PTSD consortium
Altered white matter microstructural organization in posttraumatic stress disorder across 3047 adults: Results from the PGC-ENIGMA PTSD consortium.
Dennis EL, Disner SG, Fani N, Salminen LE, Logue M, Clarke EK, et al. Altered white matter microstructural organization in posttraumatic stress disorder across 3047 adults: Results from the PGC-enigma PTSD consortium. Molecular Psychiatry. 2019;26(8):4315–30.
Main Question
What is the microstructural organization of white matter in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to controls?
Study Findings
Adults with PTSD had lower fractional anisotropy and higher radial diffusivity in the tapetum (a conduit between the left and right hippocampus).
Results were consistent even after accounting for the effects of multiple potentially confounding variables: childhood trauma exposure, comorbid depression, history of traumatic brain injury, current alcohol abuse or dependence, and current use of psychotropic medications.
Practical Uses
PTSD may be associated with alterations in the broader hippocampal network.
The hippocampus and associated white matter connections may serve as neural markers of structural disruptions in individuals with PTSD.
In an effort to provide the latest findings to our consumers as quickly as possible, some of these studies, while fully peer reviewed, have not been presented or published either electronically or in print. Findings are presented for informational purposes only and should not be cited or referenced until they are formally published or presented.