Disentangling disease-specific and trauma-related alterations of regional cortical intrinsic activity in post-traumatic stress disorder

Motivation: Trauma can lead to plastic alterations to regional cortical intrinsic activity, and dysregulation in a normal adaption to stress could contribute to PTSD. However, few previous studies disentangled trauma-related adaptation and maladaptation related to PTSD in regional cortical intrinsic activity. Goal(s): To disentangle trauma-related and PTSD-related abnormalities in regional cortical intrinsic activity. Approach: We compared the (fraction) amplitude of low frequency fluctuations and regional homogeneity among PTSD patients, traumatized and non-traumatized subjects. Results: In all trauma-related results, we found decreased (f)ALFF in the bilateral cerebellum, inferior temporal gyrus and middle occipital gyrus was also PTSD-related. Impact: We disentangled the distinction between trauma-related and PTSD specific alteration as measured by regional cortical intrinsic activity. It suggested trauma may cause decreased (f)ALFF in cerebellum, however, severe dysfunction exceeding individul’ capabilities to cope with stress may lead to PTSD.