Structural brain differences predict early traumatic memory processing

Psychophysiology. 2020 Jan;57(1):e13354. doi: 10.1111/psyp.13354. Epub 2019 Mar 2.

Abstract

Intrusive memories are a key symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They emerge early after trauma exposure and are predictive for PTSD development. There is a high relevance in evaluating the neurobiological mechanisms of early stages of intrusive symptom development to provide a further understanding of PTSD. In the present study, we explore structural differences in healthy young female subjects preceding experimental trauma exposure and their relationship to early intrusive memory development using a traumatic film paradigm. With voxel-based morphometry, we demonstrate that smaller insular volume was associated with an increased number of early intrusive film memories. Moreover, larger lingual gyrus/cerebellar and inferior frontal gyrus/precentral gyrus volumes were also related to an increased number of early intrusive film memories. Our results identify unique brain areas associated with early experimental trauma memory processing and highlight the necessity of evaluating early symptom stages relevant for personalized PTSD prevention and treatment.

Keywords: PTSD; early intrusive memories; structural MRI; trauma film paradigm; voxel-based morphometry (VBM).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anxiety* / diagnostic imaging
  • Anxiety* / pathology
  • Anxiety* / physiopathology
  • Cerebellum / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cerebral Cortex / diagnostic imaging*
  • Exposure to Violence
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Memory, Episodic*
  • Neuroimaging / methods*
  • Psychological Trauma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Psychological Trauma* / pathology
  • Psychological Trauma* / physiopathology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / diagnostic imaging
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / pathology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / physiopathology
  • Young Adult