Brain Structural Covariance Network Topology in Remitted Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Brain Imaging

Background:

• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common and chronic condition with significant morbidity.
• While brain network alterations are known in current PTSD, the impact on network topology in remitted individuals is understudied.
• Understanding these differences is crucial for developing targeted PTSD therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate brain network topology differences between individuals with current PTSD, remitted PTSD, and trauma-exposed controls.
• To identify specific brain regions and network characteristics associated with PTSD remission.
• To explore potential neurobiological markers for PTSD chronicity and resilience.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 317 US military veterans, categorized into current PTSD (CURR-PTSD), remitted PTSD (REMIT-PTSD), and control groups.
• Cortical thickness was assessed across 148 regions, with interregional correlations forming network connections.
• Network centrality measures were compared across the three diagnostic groups.

Main Results:

• The REMIT-PTSD and CONTROL groups exhibited greater centrality in the left frontal pole compared to the CURR-PTSD group.
• The REMIT-PTSD group showed higher centrality in the right subcallosal gyrus than both other groups.
• Both REMIT-PTSD and CURR-PTSD groups had greater centrality in the right superior frontal sulcus than controls.

Conclusions:

• Specific brain regions, including the right subcallosal gyrus and left frontal pole, are associated with PTSD remission and current symptoms.
• Network centrality changes in these critical brain regions may indicate enhanced functional behaviors and cognitive processing in remitted PTSD.
• These findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for PTSD and highlight the need for longitudinal studies.