Association Between Unremitting PTSD and Smaller Right Hippocampal Volume Among Veterans 30 Years After Combat.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

A significant percentage of individuals diagnosed as having posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) show remission within the first year after traumatic exposure, with more gradual improvement over the next several years. However, a subgroup of individuals with PTSD have an unremitting course of illness that may persist for years or decades despite treatment efforts. The authors tested the hypothesis that reduced hippocampal volume is associated with chronic, unremitting PTSD rather than with PTSD that has remitted over time.

Methods

The study included 44 Vietnam War veterans whose traumatic exposure had occurred more than three decades before study participation. The authors studied the association between hippocampal volume and three PTSD diagnostic categories: vete

SUBMITTER: Tanev KS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12923210 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature