Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

This chapter provides an overview of the most up-to-date understanding of the neuroscience of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A variety of topics are covered throughout this chapter in a systematic fashion with the goal that each section can be read and understood as a stand-alone piece of a greater whole. The first section presents an overview of the neurobiology of traumatic stress from receptors to structural brain changes. After this general overview, a discussion of the various animal models of PTSD is provided. These models include fear conditioning, fear-potentiated startle, and models of unpredictable stress. This review of animal models is then followed by a discussion of biomarkers, PTSD and somatic health, neuroimaging, and treatment. Following these in-depth topics, this chapter provides some possible avenues for future research including exploration of the neuroscience of sleep and PTSD or through new technologies such as magnetoencephalography.