Impaired inhibition as an intermediate phenotype for PTSD risk and treatment response

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2019 Mar 8:89:435-445. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.10.014. Epub 2018 Oct 28.

Abstract

Inhibition of fear involves learning and then appropriately responding to safety signals, and has been shown to be impaired in PTSD patients. Response inhibition refers to cognitive control and likely uses the same prefrontal cortex circuits as fear inhibition, and has also been implicated in PTSD. Impaired inhibition can serve as an intermediate phenotype for PTSD and can be measured with neuroimaging and psychophysiological tools. We first review the neurobiological mechanisms of fear and response inhibition. Next, we summarize the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and psychophysiological studies using fear and response inhibition paradigms in PTSD patients. Finally, we evaluate the theranostic role of impaired inhibition in PTSD risk and treatment response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Fear / physiology
  • Humans
  • Inhibition, Psychological*
  • Motor Activity / physiology
  • Phenotype
  • Risk Factors
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnostic imaging
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / physiopathology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome