Sex Differences in Trauma-Related Psychopathology: a Critical Review of Neuroimaging Literature (2014 –2017)

AbstractPurpose of ReviewSex differences in the epidemiology and clinical presentation of trauma-related psychopathology have long been documented. Multiple underlying mechanisms have been examined, both psychosocial and biological. Among the most promising biological mechanisms are neural substrates of trauma-related psychopathology that have been uncovered in recent years.Recent FindingsNeuroimaging studies of sex-related heterogeneity published over the past 3  years (2014–2017) demonstrate an interaction between sex and type, timing, and load of trauma exposure. These studies suggest that, for males, early trauma exposure may involve a loss of gray matter in the limbic system, including the prefrontal cortex (PFC), amygdala, and hippocampus, and an ov er-activity and increased connectivity of salience hubs, and particularly dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). For females, however, early trauma exposure may involve overactive and possibly an enlarged amygdala, as well as decreased connectivity of salience hubs such as the dACC. Underlying mec hanisms may include interaction with several endocrine systems and result in differential neural response to naturally occurring and added endocrine ligands, as well as sex-specific genetic and epigenetic risk and resilience factors. This complex interaction between multiple biological systems may b e associated with sex-specific behavioral patterns, in turn associated with trauma-related psychopathology.SummaryWhile substanti...
Source: Current Psychiatry Reports - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research