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Amygdala Hyperactivity in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Disentangling Predisposing From Consequential Factors Using
Lycia D de Voogd1, Mahur M Hashemi2, Wei Zhang3
1Donders Institute, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.
Biological Psychiatry
|March 2, 2025
Summary
Heightened amygdala activity before trauma predicts increased posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Amygdala responses after trauma may indicate difficulties in emotional regulation, offering insights into PTSD vulnerability.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
Background:
- Individual differences in vulnerability to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are significant.
- Identifying neurocognitive risk markers for PTSD can aid early assessment and prevention in high-risk groups.
- Prospective longitudinal studies with pre-trauma measurements are crucial to understand PTSD etiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To distinguish between predictive and acquired neural markers of PTSD symptoms in high-risk individuals.
- To investigate anticipatory threat responses and defensive action switching using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used in 221 police recruits at high risk for trauma exposure.
- An experimental paradigm assessed threat anticipation and the transition to defensive actions.
- Pre-trauma neurocognitive markers were examined in relation to subsequent PTSD symptom development.
Main Results:
- Elevated dorsal amygdala responses and amygdala-precuneus coupling during threat anticipation predicted a greater increase in PTSD symptoms post-trauma.
- Experiencing traumatic events correlated with increased lateral amygdala activation to aversive stimuli, irrespective of PTSD symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Dorsal amygdala activity during threat anticipation prospectively predicts trauma symptom development.
- Lateral amygdala responses post-trauma may indicate a failure in emotional regulation.
- Findings contribute to neurobiological theories of PTSD risk and vulnerability, informing prediction and intervention strategies.
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