A positron emission tomography study of benzodiazepine receptors in post-traumatic stress disorder

Abstract

Introduction: Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychiatric disorder among individuals exposed to traumatic experiences with a lifetime prevalence of 8%. Among veterans of war the lifetime prevalence is 22–30%. Neurobiological studies have identified indirect evidence of neuroreceptor and neuro-endocrine abnormalities. The GABA-Benzodiazepine receptor complex is of particular interest as it is an important modulator of stress responses in animals and humans, and it has been shown to have a central role in other anxiety disorders such as Panic Disorder. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) has recently been used to estimate the density of GABA-BZD receptors (Bmax) and the affinity of these receptors (Kd) in vivo using the BZD antagonist PET ligand [11C]-flumazenil.This current study aims to compare the Bmax and Kd of BZD receptors in subjects with PTSD and normal control subjects.Methods: 13 male subjects with war-related PTSD and 13 age and sex matched controls between the ages of 44 and 65 ...