Abstract
Previous research has demonstrated highly accurate classification of veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and controls based on synchronous neural interactions (SNI), highlighting the utility of SNI as a biomarker of PTSD. Here we extend that research to classify additional trauma-related outcomes including subthreshold PTSD, partial recovery, and full recovery according to SNI. A total of 219 U.S. veterans completed diagnostic interviews and underwent a magnetoencephalography (MEG) scan from which SNI was computed. Linear discriminant analysis was used to classify the PTSD and control brains, achieving 100% accuracy. That discriminant function was then used to classify each brain in the subthreshold PTSD, partial recovery, and full recovery diagnostic groups as PTSD or Control. All of the subthreshold PTSD diagnostic group were classified as PTSD, as were three-quarters of the partial recovery group. Findings regarding the full recovery group were mixed, documenting variability in the functional brain status of PTSD recovery. The results of the present study add to the literature supporting the discriminatory power of MEG SNI and demonstrate the utility of SNI as a biomarker of various PTSD-related trajectories.
Highlights
Service members are at elevated risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a psychiatric condition that some people experience as a result of exposure to potentially traumatic experiences
In the present study we used MEG synchronous neural interactions (SNI) to classify the functional brain status of US veterans diagnosed with subthreshold, partially recovered and fully recovered PTSD
The findings add to the literature supporting the discriminatory power of MEG SNI and demonstrate the utility of SNI as a biomarker of PTSD-related status
Summary
Service members are at elevated risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a psychiatric condition that some people experience as a result of exposure to potentially traumatic experiences. PTSD symptoms include intrusive recollections or re-experiencing of the traumatic event, avoidance of trauma reminders, emotional numbing, and hyperarousal[1]. These symptoms, in addition to co-occurring physical and mental health problems, can result in increased health care use and significant impairment in social and occupational functioning[2,3,4,5]. While a significant number of service members are affected by PTSD, these figures suggest that the vast majority experience alternative outcomes following exposure to potentially traumatic events. An individual may report numerous PTSD symptoms and exhibit significant trauma-related distress, and yet not meet criteria for a PTSD diagnosis if that person does not report enough symptoms in all of the required domains. The absence of PTSD diagnosis, does not equate with lack of serious sequelae
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
