Functional activation and neural networks in women with posttraumatic stress disorder related to intimate partner violence.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is one of the most common causes of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women. Victims of IPV are often preoccupied by the anticipation of impending harm. This investigation tested the hypothesis that IPV-related PTSD individuals show exaggerated insula reactivity to the anticipation of aversive stimuli.

Methods

Fifteen women with a history of IPV and consequent PTSD (IPV-PTSD) and 15 non-traumatized control (NTC) women performed a task involving cued anticipation to images of positive and negative events during functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

Both groups showed increased activation of bilateral anterior insula during anticipation of negative images minus anticipation of positive images. Activation in right

SUBMITTER: Simmons AN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2634744 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature