s Abstract Objective We wanted to assess possible alterations in brain activation in PTSD patients with severe hyperarousal symptoms and impulsive aggressiveness. Method 25 Croatian War (1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995) veterans with combat-related PTSD with severe hyperarousal symptoms and impulsive aggressiveness were assessed for possible alterations in cerebral blood flow in single photon emission computed tomography brain scans. Results Increased regional cerebral blood flow in projection area of nucleus accumbens was found in 13 of 25 subjects, and for all in the dominant brain hemisphere. Discussion We believe that at least some of PTSD symptoms, and especially the impulsive aggression, can be associated with increased regional cerebral blood flow in the projection area of nucleus accumbens.s Key words PTSP · SPECT · brain · aggressiveness · nucleus · accumbens
This investigation was performed in Zagreb and its surroundings in 1991 and 1992 during the war against Croatia. The study included 50 civilians who, at the moment of the sounding of the air-raid siren, had a continuous electrocardiogram recorded as part of the routine cardiologic examination. The frequency of the pulse was read out from the electrocardiogram at four different times: before the sounding of the siren, the moment of the sounding of the siren, the moment of cessation of the alert, and 1 hour afterward. The mean values of the pulse were calculated for each time point. The subjects were divided into four groups according to the length of exposure to the air-raid alerts (September 15, 1991 to January 3, 1992). The results show a significant increase in pulse frequency at the moment of the sounding of the air-raid siren compared with before the air-raid siren (p < 0.001). However, no significant difference was found between the beginning and the end of air-raid alert campaign (p > 0.05). We conclude that within the civilian population of the city of Zagreb there was no adaptation to traumatic war situations as indicated by a lack of pulse reaction after a period of time under air-raid alerts. In other words, civilians always reacted with increased pulse frequency at the moment of the sounding of the air-raid siren.
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