Abstract
Background: Several recent neuroimaging studies have provided data consistent with
functional abnormalities in anterior cingulate cortex in posttraumatic stress disorder
(PTSD). In our study, we implemented a cognitive activation paradigm to test the functional
integrity of anterior cingulate cortex in PTSD.
Methods: Eight Vietnam combat veterans with PTSD (PTSD Group) and eight Vietnam combat
veterans without PTSD (non-PTSD Group) underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging
(fMRI) while performing the Emotional Counting Stroop. In separate conditions, subjects
counted the number of combat-related (Combat), generally negative (General Negative),
and neutral (Neutral) words presented on a screen and pressed a button indicating
their response.
Results: In the Combat versus General Negative comparison, the non-PTSD group exhibited
significant fMRI blood oxygenation level–dependent signal increases in rostral anterior
cingulate cortex, but the PTSD group did not.
Conclusions: These findings suggest a diminished response in rostral anterior cingulate
cortex in the presence of emotionally relevant stimuli in PTSD. We speculate that
diminished recruitment of this region in PTSD may, in part, mediate symptoms such
as distress and arousal upon exposure to reminders of trauma.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
June 8,
2001
Received in revised form:
May 30,
2001
Received:
January 25,
2001
Identification
Copyright
© 2001 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
