Altered resting-state functional activity in posttraumatic stress disorder: A quantitative meta-analysis
Ting Wang1,2, Jia Liu2, Junran Zhang1,2
1Department of Medical Information Engineering, School of Electrical Engineering and Information, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P. R. China.
Scientific Reports
|June 3, 2016
Summary
This meta-analysis reveals consistent brain activity differences in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD patients exhibit altered activity in regions like the insula, cerebellum, and prefrontal cortex compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Functional neuroimaging studies show varied brain activity patterns in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Previous findings are inconsistent, necessitating a quantitative review to identify specific alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively meta-analyze resting-state functional neuroimaging studies.
- To identify consistent and specific regional brain activity alterations in PTSD.
Main Methods:
- Effect Size Signed Differential Mapping (ESSD) technique was used.
- Meta-analysis of 15 studies comparing PTSD patients (n=286) with trauma-exposed controls (TEC, n=203) and non-trauma controls (NTC, n=155).
- Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed.
Main Results:
- PTSD patients showed hyperactivity in the right anterior insula and bilateral cerebellum, and hypoactivity in the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) compared to NTC.
- Compared to TEC, PTSD patients exhibited hyperactivity in the ventral mPFC.
- Pooled analysis revealed hypoactivity in the posterior insula, superior temporal, and Heschl's gyrus in PTSD.
- Subgroup analysis of non-medicated subjects identified prefrontal-limbic system abnormalities.
- Illness duration correlated positively with right cerebellum activity; illness severity correlated negatively with right lingual gyrus activity.
Conclusions:
- This meta-analysis establishes consistent patterns of brain activity alterations in PTSD.
- Specific regions including the insula, cerebellum, and medial prefrontal cortex are implicated.
- Findings highlight the utility of quantitative meta-analysis for clarifying neuroimaging findings in PTSD.
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