Neural correlates of traumatic memories in posttraumatic stress disorder: A functional MRI investigation

Objective: The neuronal circuitry underlying posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was studied in traumatized subjects with and without PTSD. Method: Traumatized subjects with (N=9) and without (N=9) PTSD were studied by using the script-driven symptom provocation paradigm adapted to functional magnetic resonance imaging at a 4-T field strength. Results: PTSD subjects showed significantly less activation of the thalamus, the anterior cingulate gyrus (Brodmann's area 32), and the medial frontal gyrus (Brodmann's area 10/11) than did the comparison subjects. Conclusions: The findings suggest anterior cingulate, frontal, and thalamic involvement in the neuronal circuitry underlying PTSD.