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Magnetic resonance volumetry and spectroscopy of hippocampus and insula in relation to severe exposure of traumatic stress
Author(s) -
Eckart Cindy,
Kaufmann Jörn,
Kanowski Martin,
Tempelmann Claus,
Hinrichs Hermann,
Elbert Thomas,
Heinze HansJochen,
Kolassa IrisTatjana
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
psychophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.661
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1469-8986
pISSN - 0048-5772
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2011.01303.x
Subject(s) - hippocampus , insula , psychology , hippocampal formation , neuroscience , anxiety , neuroimaging , amygdala , magnetic resonance imaging , clinical psychology , psychiatry , medicine , radiology
Severe and chronic stress affects the hippocampus, especially during development. However, studies concerning structural alterations of the hippocampus yielded a rather inconsistent picture. Moreover, further anxiety‐relevant brain regions, such as the insula, might be implicated in the pathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ). We combined magnetic resonance ( MR ) volumetric and spectroscopic analyses of hippocampus and insula in highly traumatized refugees without a history of alcohol/substance abuse or other comorbid diseases. No PTSD ‐related difference was apparent in the volumes or neurometabolite levels of bilateral hippocampus or insula. However, an association between left hippocampal N ‐acetyl‐aspartate ( NAA ) and adverse childhood experiences indicated a potential detrimental effect of the early environment on hippocampal integrity. Our results add to increasing evidence that PTSD ‐related, morphological alterations in the hippocampus are a consequence of early adversity or may result from other factors, such as extensive use of alcohol.