White matter integrity differences associated with post-traumatic stress disorder are not normalized by concurrent...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Brain Imaging

Background:

• Both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and marijuana (MJ) use are linked to white matter tract abnormalities.
• Specific tracts affected include the cingulum and anterior thalamic radiations (ATR).
• The impact of comorbid PTSD and MJ use on these tracts remains unexamined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of PTSD and MJ use on white matter integrity.
• To determine if MJ use modifies white matter abnormalities in individuals with PTSD.

Main Methods:

• Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to scan seventy-two trauma-exposed participants.
• Participants were divided into four groups: PTSD+MJ, PTSD, trauma-exposed controls with MJ use (TEC+MJ), and trauma-exposed controls (TEC).
• White matter integrity was assessed using fractional anisotropy (FA) in the ATR and cingulum.

Main Results:

• Fractional anisotropy (FA) values in the right anterior thalamic radiations (ATR) and cingulum varied across the groups.
• No significant interactions between PTSD and MJ use were found in any white matter tracts.
• These findings suggest MJ exposure does not normalize or exacerbate PTSD-related white matter abnormalities.

Conclusions:

• Marijuana use does not appear to significantly alter white matter tract integrity in individuals with PTSD.
• Further research is necessary to explore the neurobiological impact of MJ use on PTSD beyond white matter structure.