Method to objectively identify post-traumatic stress disorder identified
January 21st, 2010 - 5:16 pm ICT by ANIWashington, Jan 21 (ANI): A biological marker in the brains of those exhibiting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been identified by researchers.
The study, by researchers at the University of Minnesota and Minneapolis VA Medical Center, involved a group of 74 United States veterans.
The research for the first time objectively diagnosed PTSD using magnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive measurement of magnetic fields in the brain. It’s something conventional brain scans such as an X-ray, CT, or MRI have failed to do.
PTSD often stems from war, but also can be a result of exposure to any psychologically traumatic event. The disorder can manifest itself in flashbacks, recurring nightmares, anger, or hypervigilance.
With more than 90 percent accuracy, researchers were able to differentiate PTSD patients from healthy control subjects (250 people with clean mental health) using the MEG.
The findings are published January 20 in the Journal of Neural Engineering. (ANI)
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