Precuneal activity during encoding in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder

Prog Brain Res. 2008:167:293-7. doi: 10.1016/S0079-6123(07)67026-5.

Abstract

Impaired attention and memory are symptoms frequently associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous studies have identified fronto-temporal alterations during encoding in patients with PTSD. We examine the role of the precuneus (located in the posteromedial parietal lobe) that is known to play a role in memory, but has largely been neglected in PTSD research. Male veterans with and without PTSD (n=12 per group) were subjected to fMRI during encoding of 12 neutral, non-trauma related word pairs. The precuneus was less activated in veterans with PTSD, which correlated significantly with the severity of PTSD. Like fronto-temporal regions the precuneus is differentially activated during memory formation in veterans with PTSD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Parietal Lobe / physiopathology*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / physiopathology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Veterans*