A neuropsychological hypothesis explaining posttraumatic stress disorders.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Veterans' Health

Background:

• Chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects Vietnam combat veterans.
• Research in psychophysiology and biochemistry provides new insights.
• Peripheral sensory system defects from high-intensity stimulation offer an analogy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To hypothesize the neurobiological underpinnings of chronic PTSD.
• To explore the role of excessive stimulation in PTSD development.
• To explain persistent symptoms in PTSD.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of existing psychophysiological and biochemical research.
• Application of an analogy from peripheral sensory system research.
• Hypothetical modeling of cortical changes in PTSD.

Main Results:

• Hypothesizes that excessive, prolonged stimulation leads to cortical neuronal and synaptic changes.
• Suggests these changes impair habituating learning.
• Proposes that altered agonistic neuronal systems impair cortical control over aggression and sleep-dream cycles.

Conclusions:

• Cortical changes due to excessive stimulation may underlie chronic PTSD.
• Impaired habituating learning and altered neuronal systems contribute to persistent symptoms.
• This model offers a neurobiological explanation for key PTSD features.