PTSD+Studies

__Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder- Studies__ __Biological Etiology__ __Geracioti (2001)__ __Aim__: To determine whether or not cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) norepinephrine concentrations are higher among those suffering from chronic PTSD. __Procedure:__ CSF samples were obtained serially over a 6-hour period in 11 male combat veterans with chronic PTSD and eight healthy men through an indwelling subarachnoid catheter. Thus the researchers were able to determine hourly CSF norepinephrine concentrations under baseline (unstressed) conditions. Severity of the patients’ PTSD symptoms was assessed with the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale. __Findings:__CSF norepinephrine concentrations were significantly higher in the men with PTSD than in the healthy men. Moreover, CSF norepinephrine levels strongly and positively correlated with the severity of PTSD symptoms. Thus this study suggests that there is a clear relationship between the level of activity of norepinephrine in the central nervous system and the occurrence, and severity, of PTSD. __Evaluation:__ gender bias towards males, lack of cross-cultural validity, task was particularly uncomfortable and required participants to fast throughout the experiment, being strapped to a hospital bed may cause stress thus the “no stress” condition that was aimed to be achieved may have been jeopardized __Applications:__ Treatment of PTSD directed at normalizing noradrenergic activity in the CNS, insight into the biological causes of stress and its reduction __Socio-Cultural Etiology__ __Silva et al 2000__ __Aim:__ To examine the experiential factors and interacting vulnerabilities that contribute to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and adolescents. __Procedure:__ Of 100 consecutive referrals to an inner-city child and adolescent psychiatry clinic, 59 had experienced a trauma that qualified as a cause of PTSD. For those with trauma, ages ranged from 3 to 18 years; 39 (66%) were males. Researchers engaged in 6 hours of interviewing, over six sessions, with participants and their parents or guardians. Interviewing was based on the KID-SCID- a method which integrates information provided by parents or guardians with that provided by the child in making a diagnostic decision. __Findings:__ Twenty-two percent of the 59 children who had been traumatized met full criteria for PTSD, 32% had some symptoms of PTSD but did not meet full criteria, and 46% had no symptoms of PTSD. Witnessing domestic violence or being physically abused predicted severity of PTSD. Children with pre-existing aggressive behavior were more likely to be victims of physical abuse. Thus observation or engagement of or in violence and the stress associated with that increases the probability that a child will develop PTSD or its symptoms. __Evaluation:__ No gender bias, bias in the participants’ recall of events, not cross-culturally valid, consent obtained and no deception, use of a standardized questionnaire helps to alleviate any errors or discrepancies that may occur due to the researchers’ questioning __Applications__ : Preventing PTSD, insight into the psychological effects of exposing children to violence