Sleep Disturbances in PTSD and Hyperexcitability of the Posterior Association Cortex: Evidence from Trauma Memory Engrams
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2019-08-28
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en
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Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychopathological disorder that can develop following exposure to trauma. Intrusive memories, hyperarousal and avoidance of trauma related cues characterize the development of PTSD symptoms in vulnerable individuals. Though multiple risk factors contributing to vulnerability and resilience are identified, their interactions remain elusive.
Compiling clinical and fundamental evidence suggests that hyperactivity of the posterior association cortex (PTLp) is responsible for re-experiencing of the vivid intrusions, though the pathological mechanism is unclear. Hyperactivity can induce neurotoxicity, which results in neuronal dysfunction and possible cell damage. Therefore, the hypothesis was posed that PTSD, a trauma of the brain, involves hyperactivation and possible neuronal damage in the PTLp.
Contextual fear conditioning (CFC) and behavioral classification established vulnerable and resilient groups of ArcTRAP mice. Neuronal activity at encoding and retrieval of the fear memory engram in the PTLp were compared between groups.
Taken together, the results indicate hyperexcitability of excitatory neurons and dysfunction of parvalbuminergic (PV) cells in the PTLp. A strong correlation with abnormal sleeping behavior was found in layers 2/3. Therefore, these results support the hypothesis that PTSD could involve signs of hyperactivation and possible neuronal damage in the PTLp.
Subsequently, these results were combined with multiple common findings to assemble an integrative conceptual model of PTSD, and to preliminarily assess its validity.
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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen