Biological markers of psychological trauma: a review

ABSTRACT

To review current evidence on the patho-physiology of psychotrauma and its biological markers. The authors made a comprehensive literature search using internet databases, PubMed, Medicine and google search engine, Am J Psychiatry, British Journal of Psychiatry, Arch Gen Psychiatry, J Neurosci, ISTSS journal for evidence for biological markers of Psychotrauma spanning over a period last 28 years, up to 1980. The key words used for the search were psychotrauma and biological marker. A total of 109 papers and articles were included in the study. The patho-physiology of psychotrauma involves a complex interplay between trauma-related factors and the neurobiological and psychosocial influences that determine individual differences in resilience and vulnerability. In psychotrauma, dysregulation of HPA axis takes place associated with changes in autonomic nervous system. The structures mostly related to psychotrauma are amygdale, hippocampus, anterior cingualte cortex, prefrontal cortex etc. The related hormones are CRF, ACTH, Cortisol, Catecholamines, Serotonin, GABA, Dopamine, Opioids, and Substance P. Psychotrauma is not a mere psychological or a social pathology. There are clear and well-defined biological markers of the change seen in consequence to exposure to trauma. The understanding of patho-phsyiology of the consequent disorders is however still infancy. This calls for consorted scientific enquiry into the biological basis of psychotrauma through rigorous methods: