A resting-state network comparison of combat-related PTSD with combat-exposed and civilian controls
Abstract
Resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) is an emerging means of understanding the neurobiology of combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, most rsFC studies to date have limited focus to cognitively related intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs), have not applied data-driven methodologies or have disregarded the effect of combat exposure. In this study, we predicted that group independent component analysis (GICA) would reveal group-wise differences in rsFC across 50 active duty service members with PTSD, 28 combat-exposed controls (CEC), and 25 civilian controls without trauma exposure (CC). Intranetwork connectivity differences were identified across 11 ICNs, yet combat-exposed groups were indistinguishable in PTSD vs CEC contrasts. Both PTSD and CEC demonstrated anatomically diffuse differences in the Auditory Vigilance and Sensorimotor networks compared to CC. However, intranetwork connectivity in a subset of three regions was associated with PTSD symptom severity among executive (left insula; ventral anterior cingulate) and right Fronto-Parietal (perigenual cingulate) networks. Furthermore, we found that increased temporal synchronization among visuospatial and sensorimotor networks was associated with worse avoidance symptoms in PTSD. Longitudinal neuroimaging studies in combat-exposed cohorts can further parse PTSD-related, combat stress-related or adaptive rsFC changes ensuing from combat.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2019
- Source ID
- 10.1093/scan/nsz072
Entities
People
- Alan L. Peterson
- Amy E Ramage
- Brett T Litz
- Crystal Franklin
- Felipe S Salinas
- Jim Mintz
- Mitchell Kok
- Patricia A. Resick
- Paul C Robinson
- Peter T. Fox
- Stacey Young-McCaughan
- The Strong Star Consortium
- Thomas J Vanasse
- Vince D. Calhoun
Organizations
- Boston University
- Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center
- Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
- Duke University
- Georgia State University
- The Mind Research Network
- United States Department of Defense
- University of New Hampshire
- University of New Mexico
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- University of Texas System
- University of Texas at Austin
- VA Boston Healthcare System