Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Biomarkers in an Animal Model for Revealing Neural, Hematologic, and Behavioral Correlates of PTSD
Published on: October 10, 2012
Predicting PTSD prospectively based on prior trauma history and immediate biological responses
Douglas L Delahanty1, Nicole R Nugent
1Department of Psychology, 118 Kent Hall, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA. ddelahan@kent.edu
Abstract:
Studies examining the biopsychology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have suggested that PTSD is characterized by alterations of the primary stress pathways: the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). More recent investigations point to the presence of these alterations soon after a traumatic event, leading researchers to suggest that acute biological responses may serve as risk or resilience factors for the development of PTSD. The present article reviews the evidence for early biological predictors of PTSD, with a focus on the role of prior trauma as a contributor to both hormonal abnormalities and increased risk for the development of PTSD following a subsequent trauma.
Related Concept Videos
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...
Traumatic Memory
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Introduction to Biological Bases of Psychology
The nervous system, the cornerstone of...
Preparedness and Phobias
