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. 1997 Mar;54(3):233-41.
doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.1997.01830150057010.

Visual imagery and perception in posttraumatic stress disorder. A positron emission tomographic investigation

L M Shin  1 , S M Kosslyn, R J McNally, N M Alpert, W L Thompson, S L Rauch, M L Macklin, R K Pitman
Affiliations

Visual imagery and perception in posttraumatic stress disorder. A positron emission tomographic investigation

L M Shin et al. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1997 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Relative regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) changes were measured in Vietnam combat veterans with and without posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during exposure to combat-related stimuli.

Methods: Positron emission tomography was used to measure rCBF in 7 combat veterans with PTSD (PTSD group) and 7 healthy combat veterans (control group) who viewed and generated visual mental images of neutral, negative, and combat-related pictures.

Results: Unlike control subjects, subjects with PTSD had increased rCBF in ventral anterior cingulate gyrus and right amygdala when generating mental images of combat-related pictures; when viewing combat pictures, subjects with PTSD showed decreased rCBF in Broca's area.

Conclusions: Results suggest that ventral anterior cingulate gyrus and right amygdala play a role in the response of combat veterans with PTSD to mental images of combat-related scenes. Reexperiencing phenomena of PTSD, which often involve emotional visual mental imagery, may be likewise associated with increased rCBF in these regions.

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