A Resting-State Network Comparison of Combat-Related PTSD with Combat-Exposed and Civilian Controls

Description: In this study, we predicted that group independent component analysis (GICA) would reveal group-wise differences in rsFC across 50 active duty service members with PTSD, 28 combat-exposed controls (CEC), and 25 civilian controls without trauma exposure (CC). Intranetwork connectivity differences were identified across 11 ICNs, yet combat-exposed groups were indistinguishable in PTSD vs. CEC contrasts. Both PTSD and CEC demonstrated anatomically diffuse differences in the Auditory Vigilance and Sensorimotor networks compared to CC. However, intranetwork connectivity in a subset of 3 regions was associated with PTSD symptom severity among Executive (left insula; ventral anterior cingulate) and right Fronto-Parietal (perigenual cingulate) networks. Furthermore, we found that increased temporal synchronization among Visuospatial and Sensorimotor networks was associated with worse avoidance symptoms in PTSD.

Related article: http://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsz072