Scanning the brain for PTSD
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota and the Minneapolis Veterans Administration Medical Center have found a biological marker in the brains of people with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that often affects soldiers after combat but can afflict anyone who has been exposed to a traumatic event. Symptoms can include flashbacks, recurring nightmares, anger or hyper vigilance.
The U of M-VA study -- which was published today -- marks the first time PTSD has been diagnosed using magnetoencephalography, or MEG, which measures magnetic fields in the brain. A group of 74 U.S. veterans were involved in the research.
Brian Engdahl is one of the researchers. He works at the Brain Sciences Center at the Minneapolis VA and the U of M and he talked with All Things Considered about the implications of the study and PTSD diagnosis and treatment.
Support Local News
When breaking news happens, MPR News provides the context you need. Help us meet the significant demands of these newsgathering efforts.