Anterior cingulate cortical thickness is a stable predictor of recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Summary of "Anterior cingulate cortical thickness is a stable predictor of recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder."
BACKGROUND:
Decreased cortical thickness in frontal and temporal regions has been observed in individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), compared to healthy controls and trauma-exposed participants without PTSD. In addition, individual differences, both functional and structural, in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) have been shown to predict symptom severity reduction. Although there is some evidence suggesting that activity in this region changes as a function of recovery, it remains unknown whether there are any structural correlates of recovery from PTSD.MethodThirty participants suffering from moderate to severe PTSD underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan following an initial clinical assessment. A second assessment took place 6-9 months later. In addition, a subgroup of 25 participants completed a second MRI scan at that time. PTSD symptom severity changes over time were regressed against vertex-based cortical thickness.
RESULTS:
We found that cortical thickness in the right subgenual ACC (sgACC) predicted symptom improvement. Moreover, cortical thickness within this region of the ACC, measured 6-9 months later (n=25), was also correlated with the same measure of symptom improvement. By contrast, no relationship was found between change in cortical thickness in this area and current PTSD symptom levels or degree of recovery.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our results suggest that sgACC thickness may be a stable marker of recovery potential in PTSD.
Affiliation
Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Psychological medicine
ISSN: 1469-8978
Pages: 1-9
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22697187
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0033291712001328
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Anterior Thalamic Nuclei
Three nuclei located beneath the dorsal surface of the most rostral part of the thalamus. The group includes the anterodorsal nucleus, anteromedial nucleus, and anteroventral nucleus. All receive connections from the mamillary body and fornix, and project fibers to the cingulate body.
Pituitary-adrenal System
The interactions between the anterior pituitary and adrenal glands, in which corticotropin (ACTH) stimulates the adrenal cortex and adrenal cortical hormones suppress the production of corticotropin by the anterior pituitary.
Akinetic Mutism
A syndrome characterized by a silent and inert state without voluntary motor activity despite preserved sensorimotor pathways and vigilance. Bilateral FRONTAL LOBE dysfunction involving the anterior cingulate gyrus and related brain injuries are associated with this condition. This may result in impaired abilities to communicate and initiate motor activities. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p348; Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr 1995 Feb;63(2):59-67)
Nuchal Translucency Measurement
A prenatal ultrasonic measurement of the thickness or translucent area below the SKIN in the back of the fetal NECK, or nape of the neck, during the first 11-14 weeks of gestation (PREGNANCY TRIMESTER, FIRST). Abnormal thickness or nuchal translucent measurements resulting from fluid collection, is associated with increased risks of CHROMOSOME ABNORMALITIES. (Nicolaides et al., 1992)
Cortical Synchronization
EEG phase synchronization of the cortical brain region (CEREBRAL CORTEX).
PubMed Articles
Cortical thickness is associated with gait disturbances in cerebral small vessel disease.
Although gait disturbances are present in a substantial portion of patients with cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), their pathogenesis has not been clarified as they are not entirely explained by th...
No volumetric differences in the anterior cingulate of psychopathic individuals.
Functional imaging studies of psychopathy have demonstrated reduced activity in the anterior cingulate, yet it is unclear whether this region is structurally impaired. In this study, we used structura...
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of type 2 diabetes with major depression on cortical gray matter using magnetic resonance imaging and cortical pattern matching techniques. We hypot...
INTRODUCTION: The study investigated sex differences in cortical thickness in middle-aged (MA, 44-48 years old, n = 397) and early old-aged (OA, 64-68 years old, n = 398) adults in a communi...
Behavioral reactions to sensory stimuli during sleep are scarce despite preservation of sizeable cortical responses. To further understand such dissociation, we recorded intracortical field potentials...
Clinical Trials
Assessing Anterior Cingulate Brain Activity in People With Late-Life Depression
This study will examine differences in activity of the anterior cingulate cortex, a brain area involved in emotion and cognitive regulation, between older adults with and without depressio...
Spectroscopy in Children and Adolescents With Bipolar Disorder
The primary aim of this study is to use proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy to look at myo-Inositol containing compounds (Ino) and creatine + phosphocreatine (Cr) in the anterior cingul...
The primary objective of this feasibility study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of targeted sub-threshold epidural cortical stimulation delivered concurrent with speech-languag...
Neuroimaging of the Effects of Concerta in the Treatment of ADHD
A number of brain regions have been down to be altered in both structure and function in patients with ADHD, including prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate, caudate and cerebellum. Patie...
This is a Phase 3, randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled study designed to compare the safety, tolerability, antiviral activity and immunological effect of raltegravir added to a...
