Sex differences in post-traumatic stress disorder risk: autonomic control and inflammation.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

Over 7 million U.S. adults and about 20% of the military population have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a debilitating condition that is independently linked to a significantly greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Women have twice the probability of developing PTSD after experiencing a traumatic event compared to men. Existing literatures have reported higher inflammation and autonomic dysfunction including impaired baroreflex sensitivity, increased sympathetic reactivity and decreased parasympathetic activity in PTSD. However, most of these findings stem from studies conducted predominantly in males.

Methods

We attempt in this narrative review to summarize the mixed literature available on sex differences in autonomic dysfunction and inflamma

SUBMITTER: Fonkoue IT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7598146 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature