Posttraumatic stress disorder: Cerebellar regulation of psychological, interpersonal, and biological responses to trauma?

Alteration in the sense of time is the most commonly reported peritraumatic dissociative symptom. A case report of a trauma victim illustrates the posttraumatic alteration in the sense of time as well as loss of spatial memory. Recent studies of cerebellar function indicate the cerebellum may be critical to both spatial memory and the sense of time. Identifying regulators of psychological, interpersonal, and biological responses to traumatic events is important in advancing our understanding of the effects of trauma. The cerebellum may be part of the initial posttraumatic response.