Functional changes in neural mechanisms underlying post-traumatic stress disorder in World Trade Center responders

• DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02526-y
• Publication Date: 2023-07-11T01:01:45Z
• Authors: Azzurra Invernizzi; Elza Rechtman; Paul Curtin; Demetrios M. Papa...; Maryam Jalees; Alison C. Pellecchia; Stephanie Santiag...; Evelyn J. Bromet; Roberto G. Lucchini; Benjamin J. Luft; Sean A. Clouston; Cheuk Y. Tang; Megan K. Horton
• Keywords: Parahippocampal gyrus; Traumatic stress

Abstract World Trade Center (WTC) responders exposed to traumatic and environmental stressors during rescue recovery efforts have a high prevalence of chronic WTC-related post-traumatic stress disorder (WTC-PTSD). We investigated neural mechanisms underlying WTC-PTSD by applying eigenvector centrality (EC) metrics data-driven methods on resting state functional magnetic resonance (fMRI). identified how EC differences relate WTC-exposure behavioral symptoms. found that connectivity differentiated significantly between non-PTSD in nine brain regions, as these allowed an effective discrimination PTSD based solely analysis data. Further, we WTC exposure duration (months site) moderates the association values two regions; right anterior parahippocampal gyrus left amygdala ( p = 0.010; 0.005, respectively, adjusted for multiple comparisons). Within WTC-PTSD, dimensional measure symptom severity was positively associated with brainstem. Functional neuroimaging can provide tools identify correlates diagnostic indicators PTSD.