Disrupted cortical brain network in post-traumatic stress disorder patients: a resting-state electroencephalographic
M Shim1,2, C-H Im1, S-H Lee2,3
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
Translational Psychiatry
|September 13, 2017
Summary
This study reveals altered brain networks in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Graph theory analysis of electroencephalography (EEG) data showed inefficient cortical networks and symptom-specific changes in PTSD patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Computational Neuroscience
Background:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex mental health condition.
- Understanding the neural underpinnings of PTSD is crucial for developing effective treatments.
- Previous research has explored brain abnormalities in PTSD, but source-level network analysis is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate source-level cortical brain network alterations in individuals with PTSD.
- To apply graph theory metrics to resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) data.
- To identify potential neuroimaging biomarkers for PTSD.
Main Methods:
- Resting-state EEG data were collected from 78 individuals with PTSD and 58 healthy controls (HCs).
- Cortical source signals were estimated, and graph theory indices (strength, clustering coefficient (CC), path length (PL), efficiency) were calculated.
- Analyses were performed across six frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, low beta, high beta, gamma).
Main Results:
- Individuals with PTSD exhibited decreased global network strength, CC, and efficiency in delta, theta, and low beta bands.
- Enhanced PL was observed in theta and low beta bands in the PTSD group.
- Reduced nodal CCs were found in delta, theta, and low beta bands in PTSD patients.
- Network alterations correlated with symptom severity, including anxiety, rumination, re-experiencing, and pain.
Conclusions:
- PTSD is characterized by inefficiently altered and symptom-dependent changes in source-level cortical brain networks.
- These network alterations suggest potential disruptions in brain communication pathways.
- Source-level cortical network indices derived from EEG show promise as biomarkers for evaluating PTSD.
