Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

by Shiromani, Priyattam J.; Keane, Terence M.; Ledoux, Joseph E.

• ISBN13: 9781603273282
• ISBN10: 160327328X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-04-03
• Publisher: Humana Pr Inc

Summary

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychiatric illness that can occur in anyone who has experienced a life-threatening or violent event. The trauma can be due to war, terrorism, torture, natural disasters, violence, or rape. In PTSD the brain areas that are likely to be affected are the hippocampus (memory), amygdala (fear association), the prefrontal cortex (cognitive processing), and the ascending reticular activating system (arousal). The chemical of interest is norepinephrine, which is released during a stressful event and is part of the fight-or-flight response meant to mobilize the body to action.The objective of this title is to outline the neurobiology of post-traumatic stress disorder and provide treatment strategies for clinicians. The chapter material from this book has evolved from a seminar on PTSD held recently under the auspices of the VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston University Medical Center and Harvard Medical School. We propose a book that will focus on the epidemiology, neurobiology, MRI studies, animal models, arousal and sleep issues, clinical trials, and treatment strategies for clinicians. Treatment will cover such topics as guidelines for treating posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD and the use of mental health services, cognitive intervention therapy, and large scale clinical trials in PTSD. This collection will be a vital source of information to clinicians and neuroscientists.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. v
About the Editors	p. vii
Contributors	p. xi
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Definition, Prevalence, and Risk Factors	p. 1
Amygdala and Fear
The Amygdala and the Neural Pathways of Fear	p. 23
Physiology of the Amygdala: Implications for PTSD	p. 39
Counteracting Molecular Pathways Regulating the Reduction of Fear: Implications for the Treatment of Anxiety Diseases	p. 79
Memory in PTSD: A Neurocognitive Approach	p. 105
Animal Models of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Toward Animal Models of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder	p. 133
PTSD: From Neurons to Networks	p. 151
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Arousal
Arousal Neurons in the Brain	p. 187
Hyperarousal and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Role for the Hypocretin System	p. 201
The Locus Coeruleus-Noradrenergic System and Stress: Implications for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder	p. 213
Effect of Stress on Sleep and Its Relationship to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder	p. 231
Stress Hormones in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Stress Hormones and PTSD	p. 257
Low Basal Cortisol and Startle Responding as Possible Biomarkers of PTSD: The Influence of Internalizing and Externalizing Comorbidity	p. 277
Brain Imaging in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Functional Neuroimaging in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder	p. 297
The Amygdala in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder	p. 319
Treatment Strategies
Pharmacologic Treatment of PTSD	p. 337
Guided Imagery as a Therapeutic Tool in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder	p. 363
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Combat-Related PTSD	p. 375
Index	p. 401
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