Decreased Regional Cerebral Perfusion at Resting State in Acute Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Resulting From a Single, Prolonged Stress Event.

Rationale and Objectives This study evaluated the altered regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in resting state in patients with acute posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 3 months after trauma. Materials and Methods The rCBF was measured in 30 patients with acute PTSD and 36 healthy controls. Results Survivors with acute PTSD showed decreased rCBF, the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale score correlated negatively with the rCBF, and rCBF at resting state decreased in acute PTSD. Conclusions PTSD symptom severity was associated with diminished cerebral blood flow in the right insular cortex and right orbital medial frontal gyrus. The rCBF may predict PTSD symptom severity.