About this Research Topic
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition with a high rate of disability. PTSD can be triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event(s). The diagnosis of PTSD is further characterized by four symptom clusters: re-experience, avoidance, negative affective, and high alertness. The pathogenesis of PTSD is complicated. It does not occur in a certain group of people or results from one specific type of traumatic event. The key factors that play a crucial role in the development of PTSD are still unknown.
Many advances in science have been made in the last decade to better explain the pathogenesis of PTSD. Advances in the brain imaging method have allowed us to study changes in patients' brains in a non-invasive way. Recent studies have observed the activity or morphology changes of several brain regions in patients with PTSD, including the prefrontal lobe, amygdala, hippocampus. However, it is still unclear how these changes in brain regions are linked to PTSD. Further research needs to be conducted to understand the function of brain regions during the development of PTSD. Also, people can develop PTSD, depression, or both as a result of a major traumatic event. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA axis) may play an important role in such a difference. Glucocorticoid level has been used as an indicator for HPA axis activation and monitoring glucocorticoid level can help us understand the role of the HPA axis in the pathogenesis of PTSD. The treatment of PTSD includes pharmacotherapy, physical therapy, psychotherapy and other interventions. For example, rTMS models may provide a new approach for the prognosis and rehabilitation of PTSD patients. At present time, the means to prevent PTSD are lacking but are of great importance. The research in the pathogenesis of PTSD will eventually return to prediction, prevention and more effective treatment.
This Special Edition aims to gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis of PTSD and discover the potential therapeutic approach of PTSD. We welcome all original research articles and reviews related to, but not limited to, the following areas:
- The risk factors or protective factors of PTSD
- The biochemical and pathological mechanism of PTSD
- Treatments on PTSD, especially rTMS applying in PTSD
- Brain changes in PTSD patients, including brain imaging studies, ERP studies.
- Network analyses of PTSD symptoms
- The incidence of PTSD in certain special populations.
- Clinical protocols and measures of PTSD
Many advances in science have been made in the last decade to better explain the pathogenesis of PTSD. Advances in the brain imaging method have allowed us to study changes in patients' brains in a non-invasive way. Recent studies have observed the activity or morphology changes of several brain regions in patients with PTSD, including the prefrontal lobe, amygdala, hippocampus. However, it is still unclear how these changes in brain regions are linked to PTSD. Further research needs to be conducted to understand the function of brain regions during the development of PTSD. Also, people can develop PTSD, depression, or both as a result of a major traumatic event. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA axis) may play an important role in such a difference. Glucocorticoid level has been used as an indicator for HPA axis activation and monitoring glucocorticoid level can help us understand the role of the HPA axis in the pathogenesis of PTSD. The treatment of PTSD includes pharmacotherapy, physical therapy, psychotherapy and other interventions. For example, rTMS models may provide a new approach for the prognosis and rehabilitation of PTSD patients. At present time, the means to prevent PTSD are lacking but are of great importance. The research in the pathogenesis of PTSD will eventually return to prediction, prevention and more effective treatment.
This Special Edition aims to gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis of PTSD and discover the potential therapeutic approach of PTSD. We welcome all original research articles and reviews related to, but not limited to, the following areas:
- The risk factors or protective factors of PTSD
- The biochemical and pathological mechanism of PTSD
- Treatments on PTSD, especially rTMS applying in PTSD
- Brain changes in PTSD patients, including brain imaging studies, ERP studies.
- Network analyses of PTSD symptoms
- The incidence of PTSD in certain special populations.
- Clinical protocols and measures of PTSD
Keywords: Pathogenesis, Assessment, Intervention, Psychotherapy, PTSD
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