Altered neurotransmitter levels with post-traumatic stress disorder

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to observe the changes in the monoamine neurotransmitter levels of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and explore whether the neurotransmitter level is correlated with the severity of PTSD. Mater Ial and Met hods: A total of 15 PTSD patients without any physical injuries were enrolled into the study. Another 15 cases of prerestoration patients were recruited as controls who experienced traumatic events but did not experience PTSD or had a Posttraumatic stress disorder Check List-Civilian version (PCL-C) score lower than 12 points. The levels of plasma monoamine neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and dopamine, were tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: No significant differences were found between the monoamine neurotransmitter levels of the PTSD and the control groups (p > 0.05). A correlation study confirmed that the monoamine neurotransmitter levels and the PCL-C scores of the PTSD group were not significantly correlated (p > 0.05). Conclusion: No neurotransmitter changes are seen in PTSD caused by simple mental trauma, and the PCL-C scores do not associate with PTSD.