Impaired fear inhibition learning predicts the persistence of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Recent cross-sectional studies have shown that the inability to suppress fear under safe conditions is a key problem in people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The current longitudinal study examined whether individual differences in fear inhibition predict the persistence of PTSD symptoms...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2013
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| _version_ | 1797087550542708736 |
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| author | Sijbrandij, M Engelhard, I Lommen, M Leer, A Baas, J |
| author_facet | Sijbrandij, M Engelhard, I Lommen, M Leer, A Baas, J |
| author_sort | Sijbrandij, M |
| collection | OXFORD |
| description | Recent cross-sectional studies have shown that the inability to suppress fear under safe conditions is a key problem in people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The current longitudinal study examined whether individual differences in fear inhibition predict the persistence of PTSD symptoms. Approximately 2 months after deployment to Afghanistan, 144 trauma-exposed Dutch soldiers were administered a conditional discrimination task (AX+/BX-). In this paradigm, A, B, and X are neutral stimuli. X combined with A is paired with a shock (AX+ trials); X combined with B is not (BX- trials). Fear inhibition was measured (AB trials). Startle electromyogram responses and shock expectancy ratings were recorded. PTSD symptoms were measured at 2 months and at 9 months after deployment. Results showed that greater startle responses during AB trials in individuals who discriminated between danger (AX+) and safety (BX-) during conditioning, predicted higher PTSD symptoms at 2 months and 9 months post-deployment. The predictive effect at 9 months remained significant after controlling for critical incidents during previous deployments and PTSD symptoms at 2 months. Responses to AX+ or BX- trials, or discrimination learning (AX+ minus BX-) did not predict PTSD symptoms. It is concluded that impaired fear inhibition learning seems to be involved in the persistence of PTSD symptoms. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T02:37:13Z |
| format | Journal article |
| id | oxford-uuid:a9333e1a-3044-4642-87b1-e594d1ca2b42 |
| institution | University of Oxford |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T02:37:13Z |
| publishDate | 2013 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | oxford-uuid:a9333e1a-3044-4642-87b1-e594d1ca2b422022-03-27T03:06:50ZImpaired fear inhibition learning predicts the persistence of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:a9333e1a-3044-4642-87b1-e594d1ca2b42EnglishSymplectic Elements at OxfordElsevier2013Sijbrandij, MEngelhard, ILommen, MLeer, ABaas, JRecent cross-sectional studies have shown that the inability to suppress fear under safe conditions is a key problem in people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The current longitudinal study examined whether individual differences in fear inhibition predict the persistence of PTSD symptoms. Approximately 2 months after deployment to Afghanistan, 144 trauma-exposed Dutch soldiers were administered a conditional discrimination task (AX+/BX-). In this paradigm, A, B, and X are neutral stimuli. X combined with A is paired with a shock (AX+ trials); X combined with B is not (BX- trials). Fear inhibition was measured (AB trials). Startle electromyogram responses and shock expectancy ratings were recorded. PTSD symptoms were measured at 2 months and at 9 months after deployment. Results showed that greater startle responses during AB trials in individuals who discriminated between danger (AX+) and safety (BX-) during conditioning, predicted higher PTSD symptoms at 2 months and 9 months post-deployment. The predictive effect at 9 months remained significant after controlling for critical incidents during previous deployments and PTSD symptoms at 2 months. Responses to AX+ or BX- trials, or discrimination learning (AX+ minus BX-) did not predict PTSD symptoms. It is concluded that impaired fear inhibition learning seems to be involved in the persistence of PTSD symptoms. |
| spellingShingle | Sijbrandij, M Engelhard, I Lommen, M Leer, A Baas, J Impaired fear inhibition learning predicts the persistence of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). |
| title | Impaired fear inhibition learning predicts the persistence of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). |
| title_full | Impaired fear inhibition learning predicts the persistence of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). |
| title_fullStr | Impaired fear inhibition learning predicts the persistence of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impaired fear inhibition learning predicts the persistence of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). |
| title_short | Impaired fear inhibition learning predicts the persistence of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). |
| title_sort | impaired fear inhibition learning predicts the persistence of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder ptsd |
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