Researchers pinpoint brain lesions that reduce PTSD symptoms in veterans, showing that targeting the PTSD circuit with TMS could lead to a breakthrough in noninvasive treatments for trauma survivors.
A potential target for noninvasive neuromodulation of PTSD symptoms derived from focal brain lesions in veterans Study: . Image Credit: Andrew Angelov / Shutterstock.com
A recent Nature Neuroscience study explores the optimal neuroanatomical target to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans. Neuromodulation and PTSD
Approximately 30% of military combat veterans and trauma survivors develop PTSD, a condition that is characterized by depression, suicidal tendencies, and substance use. Existing PTSD therapies include medications and psychotherapy , both of which are moderately effective; therefore, there remains an urgent need to develop more effective treatments for PTSD.
Neuromodulation is a powerful technique that activates or inhibits brain circuits associated with a given symptom or disorder. Preliminary assessments have shown that focal modulation of the amygdala with deep brain stimulation (DBS), responsive neurostimulation, and laser ablation are effective for managing PTSD.
Circuit-Based Approach: The study highlights the importance of identifying precise brain circuits that are functionally connected to PTSD symptoms, allowing for more targeted neuromodulation therapies.
Non-invasive techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) cannot directly access deep targets within the brain, particularly the amygdala. Nevertheless, this approach can target the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which has been shown to alleviate major depression.
Importantly, two multi-center clinical trials have indicated that effective antidepressant targets may adversely affect PTSD, thus emphasizing the importance of developing targeted treatments specific to PTSD. About the study
Based on a previous causal lesion-derived circuit model of PTSD, the current study identified TMS targets associated with PTSD symptoms independent of depression. All relevant data were obtained from the Vietnam Head Injury Study (VHIS).Participants who suffered severe traumatic injuries during the Vietnam War were recruited for the study, 197 of whom had a history of penetrating head injury that caused a focal brain lesion. Fifty-five study participants sustained non-neurological injuries of comparable severity and were considered controls.The boundaries of each lesion were identified through head computed tomography (CT) scans. Study participants with […]
Targeting brain lesions with TMS shows promise in treating PTSD in veterans
