| Clarifying the origin of biological abnormalities in PTSD through the study of identical twins discordant for combat exposure. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 16891575 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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A biological abnormality found to be associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be, among other things, a pretrauma vulnerability factor, that is, it may have been present prior to the event's occurrence and increased the individual's likelihood of developing PTSD upon traumatic exposure. Alternately, it may be an acquired PTSD sign, that is, it may have developed after the traumatic exposure, along with the PTSD. We have studied pairs of Vietnam combat veterans and their noncombat-exposed, identical twins in an effort to resolve these competing origins. Combat veterans were diagnosed as current PTSD or non-PTSD (i.e., never had). Average heart rate responses (HRRs) to a series of sudden, loud-tone presentations were larger in Vietnam combat veteran twins with PTSD, but these larger responses were not shared by their noncombat-exposed cotwins, whose responses were similar to those of the non-PTSD combat veterans and their noncombat-exposed cotwins. These results suggest that larger HRRs to sudden, loud tones represent an acquired sign of PTSD. In contrast, increased neurological soft signs (NSSs), diminished hippocampal volume, and presence of abnormal cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) were found in Vietnam combat veteran twins with PTSD and their "high-risk," unexposed cotwins compared to Vietnam combat veteran twins without PTSD and their "low-risk," unexposed cotwins. These results support the conclusion that the latter abnormalities represent antecedent, familial vulnerability factors for developing chronic PTSD upon exposure to a traumatic event. |
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Authors:
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Roger K Pitman; Mark W Gilbertson; Tamara V Gurvits; Flavia S May; Natasha B Lasko; Linda J Metzger; Martha E Shenton; Rachel Yehuda; Scott P Orr; |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Twin Study |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Volume: 1071 ISSN: 0077-8923 ISO Abbreviation: Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. Publication Date: 2006 Jul |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2006-08-07 Completed Date: 2006-09-20 Revised Date: 2010-12-03 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 7506858 Medline TA: Ann N Y Acad Sci Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 242-54 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Massachusetts General Hospital, Room 2616, Bldg. 149, 13th St., Charlestown, MA 02129, USA. roger_pitman@hms.harvard.edu |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Acoustic Stimulation Adult Amygdala / pathology Biological Markers Combat Disorders / physiopathology*, psychology Heart Rate / physiology Hippocampus / pathology Humans Magnetic Resonance Imaging Male Prospective Studies Septum Pellucidum / pathology Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / physiopathology*, psychology Twins / psychology* Veterans / psychology Vietnam |
| Grant Support | |
ID/Acronym/Agency:
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K02 MH001110-10/MH/NIMH NIH HHS; K02MH01110/MH/NIMH NIH HHS; R01MH54636/MH/NIMH NIH HHS |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Biological Markers |
| Comments/Corrections | |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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