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  • Title: Hippocampal N-acetylaspartate levels before trauma predict the development of long-lasting posttraumatic stress disorder-like symptoms in mice.
    Author: Siegmund A, Kaltwasser SF, Holsboer F, Czisch M, Wotjak CT.
    Journal: Biol Psychiatry; 2009 Feb 01; 65(3):258-62. PubMed ID: 18842254.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Only a certain proportion of individuals develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the aftermath of a trauma. Biomarkers of individual susceptibility are not yet known but would enable selected primary and secondary prevention of PTSD. METHODS: Hippocampal N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels were assessed by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) in C57BL/6N mice prior to the perception of a 1.5 mA electric footshock. Associative (freezing to trauma context) and nonassociative (freezing to a neutral tone; i.e., hyperarousal) symptoms of PTSD-like fear were assessed 4, 5, 18, and 32 weeks after trauma. RESULTS: Low NAA levels in the left dorsal hippocampus predicted persistent PTSD-like symptoms (both contextual freezing and hyperarousal), while animals with pretraumatic high levels of NAA decreased their fear reactions to control levels in consequence of re-exposure to associative and nonassociative cues. N-AA levels in the right dorsal hippocampus, in contrast, were only partially predictive of the individual susceptibility to develop PTSD-like symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Left hippocampal NAA levels might be a predictor of an increased susceptibility to develop PTSD after trauma.
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