PTSD: Separating Sadness from Trauma
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is defined as a disorder where recall of traumatic events leads to negative stimuli with significant effects on an individual’s well-being (American Psychiatric Association). Prior PTSD research has focused on the neural mechanisms underlying non personal memory; however, the correlation between traumatic and nontraumatic memories still remains unclear. In order to better understand this distinction, researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine designed a study to compare and contrast responses to traumatic and nontraumatic memories.
Studies have established the significance of the hippocampus, a brain region highly involved in memory, in the retrieval of episodic memories, a personal form of memory of one’s experiences that may lead to PTSD symptoms. Current findings have leaned into the idea that anatomical and functional abnormalities in the hippocampus may be a primary factor in how individuals develop PTSD. The researchers hypothesized that memories considered traumatic would differ from typical sad memories in regard to their neural activity and that this would be made apparent by studying hippocampal activity.
To test their hypothesis, the researchers conducted their experiment on twenty-eight PTSD-diagnosed participants. Prior to the experiment, the participants underwent an "imagery development procedure," during which they were asked to describe three distinct autobiographical memories. The first of which was a traumatic event associated with their PTSD diagnosis. The second memory was a sad, but non-traumatic experience. The third described memory was a positive experience used as a “calm” condition. These three memories were then collected and organized into two minute audio scripts spoken aloud and recorded by research faculty. The participants then listened to their three audio scripts as they underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Studies have established the significance of the hippocampus, a brain region highly involved in memory, in the retrieval of episodic memories, a personal form of memory of one’s experiences that may lead to PTSD symptoms. Current findings have leaned into the idea that anatomical and functional abnormalities in the hippocampus may be a primary factor in how individuals develop PTSD. The researchers hypothesized that memories considered traumatic would differ from typical sad memories in regard to their neural activity and that this would be made apparent by studying hippocampal activity.
To test their hypothesis, the researchers conducted their experiment on twenty-eight PTSD-diagnosed participants. Prior to the experiment, the participants underwent an "imagery development procedure," during which they were asked to describe three distinct autobiographical memories. The first of which was a traumatic event associated with their PTSD diagnosis. The second memory was a sad, but non-traumatic experience. The third described memory was a positive experience used as a “calm” condition. These three memories were then collected and organized into two minute audio scripts spoken aloud and recorded by research faculty. The participants then listened to their three audio scripts as they underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
PTSD, previously named shellshock, affects 7% of combat veterans at some point in their lives. But PTSD can develop in anyone after a traumatic experience. The most common events that lead to PTSD include serious accidents, physical/sexual assault, abuse, and health problems (NHS).
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Unfortunately, due to the verbal method of communicating memories to an individual, it is difficult to ensure that these memories were appropriately utilized while participants underwent fMRI. However, the nature of autobiographical memory recollection ensures that any similar responses among participants would likely be pronounced in their cognitive state and neuronal activity. One key takeaway was discovered as a result of the study: the traumatic memories underwent a completely different form of representation compared to neurotypical, autobiographical memories.
Although it is still unknown why traumatic and nontraumatic memories were represented differently, the results of the study allowed the researchers to come up with several possible explanations for this phenomenon. The first is that the very personal and vivid status of traumatic memories has led to these memories developing into unique representations within each individual. A second possible explanation is that the retrieval of traumatic memories is largely separate from retrieval circumstances, going against the method in which most memories are retrieved. The final provided explanation is that the retrieval of traumatic memories was hindered by the individual’s attempt to suppress the memory, allowing for brain activity distinct from other types of memory.
Regardless, one key takeaway from the study remains: the experience of traumatic memories for individuals with PTSD cannot be reduced to an extreme case of a standard negative experience. On the contrary, it is more likely that the recollection of traumatic memories exists as a completely separate experience based on the hippocampal patterns discovered in this study. By using the researchers’ results and further analyzing the nature of traumatic memories, future studies could explore new and unique treatment options to target traumatic memories as a uniquely separate experience.
Although it is still unknown why traumatic and nontraumatic memories were represented differently, the results of the study allowed the researchers to come up with several possible explanations for this phenomenon. The first is that the very personal and vivid status of traumatic memories has led to these memories developing into unique representations within each individual. A second possible explanation is that the retrieval of traumatic memories is largely separate from retrieval circumstances, going against the method in which most memories are retrieved. The final provided explanation is that the retrieval of traumatic memories was hindered by the individual’s attempt to suppress the memory, allowing for brain activity distinct from other types of memory.
Regardless, one key takeaway from the study remains: the experience of traumatic memories for individuals with PTSD cannot be reduced to an extreme case of a standard negative experience. On the contrary, it is more likely that the recollection of traumatic memories exists as a completely separate experience based on the hippocampal patterns discovered in this study. By using the researchers’ results and further analyzing the nature of traumatic memories, future studies could explore new and unique treatment options to target traumatic memories as a uniquely separate experience.
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