Neuro – functional and endocrine findings in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder

The authors studied the neuro-functional findings demonstrated by SPECT in a group of 7 patients diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their correlation with endocrinologic and clinical variables. Brain perfusion was assessed using SPECT Tc99m – ECD. The Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS) for post traumatic stress disorder and the abbreviated version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to corroborate clinical impressions. Endocrine measures included: T3, total T4, TSH and cortisol levels. Neuro-functional findings included abnormal radiopharmaceutical uptake in regions involved in the recovery of verbal memories and executive functions (frontal and pre-frontal cortex), and limbic system. No endocrine alterations affecting thyroid or cortisol levels were found. The broad distribution of neuro-functional abnormalities causes us to hypothesize a diffuse etiologic mechanism, possibly involving a dysfunction in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier due to an underlying inflammatory process.