Amygdala, Medial Prefrontal Cortex, and Hippocampal Function in PTSD
Top Cited Papers
- 26 July 2006
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Wiley in Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
- Vol. 1071 (1), 67-79
- https://doi.org/10.1196/annals.1364.007
Abstract
The last decade of neuroimaging research has yielded important information concerning the structure, neurochemistry, and function of the amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Neuroimaging research reviewed in this article reveals heightened amygdala responsivity in PTSD during symptomatic states and during the processing of trauma-unrelated affective information. Importantly, amygdala responsivity is positively associated with symptom severity in PTSD. In contrast, medial prefrontal cortex appears to be volumetrically smaller and is hyporesponsive during symptomatic states and the performance of emotional cognitive tasks in PTSD. Medial prefrontal cortex responsivity is inversely associated with PTSD symptom severity. Lastly, the reviewed research suggests diminished volumes, neuronal integrity, and functional integrity of the hippocampus in PTSD. Remaining research questions and related future directions are presented.This publication has 100 references indexed in Scilit:
- Amygdala Response in Patients With Acute PTSD to Masked and Unmasked Emotional Facial ExpressionsAmerican Journal of Psychiatry, 2005
- Single voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in women with and without intimate partner violence-related posttraumatic stress disorderPsychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 2005
- Evidence of early neurobiological alternations in adolescents with posttraumatic stress disorder: a functional MRI studyNeuroscience Letters, 2004
- THE AMYGDALA MODULATES THE CONSOLIDATION OF MEMORIES OF EMOTIONALLY AROUSING EXPERIENCESAnnual Review of Neuroscience, 2004
- Single photon emission computed tomography in posttraumatic stress disorder before and after treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitorJournal of Affective Disorders, 2004
- MRI and PET Study of Deficits in Hippocampal Structure and Function in Women With Childhood Sexual Abuse and Posttraumatic Stress DisorderAmerican Journal of Psychiatry, 2003
- Neurons in medial prefrontal cortex signal memory for fear extinctionNature, 2002
- Neural Correlates of Traumatic Memories in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Functional MRI InvestigationAmerican Journal of Psychiatry, 2001
- Potential role of the anterior cingulate cortex in PTSD: Review and hypothesisDepression and Anxiety, 1999
- The cognitive neuroscience of memory: perspectives from neuroimaging researchPhilosophical Transactions Of The Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 1997