Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Auditory M50 Sensory Gating Deficit and Superior Temporal Gyrus Pathology in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders

  • 122 Accesses

Abstract

Neurocognitive dysfunction has been well established in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the neurobiological underpinnings of this dysfunction are not well understood. A rich line of PTSD research has investigated changes in auditory information processing of non-traumatic (neutral) stimuli through analysis of evoked responses. A number of previous electroencephalography (EEG) studies in PTSD have found impaired sensory gating of the P50 auditory potential using a paired click (500 ms) paradigm. However, since the P50 signal is best measured in the midline (electrode Cz), the hemispheric and neuronal (source space) etiologies of this deficit in PTSD are not well understood. We utilized magnetoencephalography to measure gating of the 50 ms evoked field (M50), which is equivalent to P50, in a group of seven Vietnam veterans with PTSD with combat-related PTSD and ten normal controls. Using MEG and magnetic source imaging, we found that M50 is localized to the superior temporal gyrus (STG). Furthermore, M50 gating was impaired in PTSD patients, but only in the right hemisphere and right M50 amplitude correlated with PTSD symptomatology. Using a regression model, we also found that thinner right hemisphere STG cortical thickness predicted sensory gating deficits. Our work suggests that abnormalities in early abnormal information processing in PTSD, particularly filtering of redundant stimuli, are explained by structural changes in the right temporal lobe (STG). There is growing literature documenting cortical thinning in PTSD patients involving mainly the frontal and temporal lobes; other groups have found specific changes in the STG. We discuss our findings in light of other evidence of abnormal hemispheric lateralization and temporal lobe dysfunction in PTSD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 1,099.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 1,199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Abbreviations

CAPS:

Clinician-administered PTSD scale for PTSD

EEG:

Electroencephalography

EF:

Evoked field

EP:

Evoked potential

fMRI:

Functional magnetic resonance imaging

M50:

50 ms evoked field

MEG:

Magnetoencephalography

MMN:

Mismatched negativity

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

P100:

100 ms evoked potential

P200:

200 ms evoked potential

P300:

300 ms evoked potential

P50:

50 ms evoked potential

sMRI:

Structural magnetic resonance imaging

SQUID:

Superconducting quantum interference devices

References

  • Adler LE, Pachtman E, Franks RD, Pecevich M, Waldo MC, Freedman R. Neurophysiological evidence for a defect in neuronal mechanisms involved in sensory gating in schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry. 1982;17:639–54.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistic manual for mental disorders. 5th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aupperle RL, Melrose AJ, Stein MB, Paulus MP. Executive function and PTSD: disengaging from trauma. Neuropharmacology. 2012;62:686–94.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Badddeley AD, Della Sala S. Working memory and executive control. Philos Trans R Soc Lond. 1996;351:1397–404.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barlow-Ogden K, Poynter W. Mild traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder: investigation of visual attention in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom veterans. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2012;49:1101–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bing X, Ming-Guo Q, Ye Z, Jing-Na Z, Min L, Han C, Yu Z, Jia-Jia Z, Jian W, Wei C, Han-Jian D, Shao-Xiang Z. Alterations in the cortical thickness and the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. Brain Res. 2013;1490:225–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Charles G, Hansenne M, Ansseau M, Pitchot W, Machowski R, Schittecatte M, Wilmotte J. P300 in posttraumatic stress disorder. Neuropsychobiology. 1995;32:72–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Daniels JK, McFarlane AC, Bluhm RL, Moores KA, Clark CR, Shaw ME, Williamson PC, Densmore M, Lanius RA. Switching between executive and default mode networks in posttraumatic stress disorder: alterations in functional connectivity. J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2010;35:258–66.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Dolan S, Martindale S, Robinson J, Kimbrel NA, Meyer EC, Kruse MI, Morissette SB, Young KA, Gulliver SB. Neuropsychological sequelae of PTSD and TBI following war deployment among OEF/OIF veterans. Neuropsychol Rev. 2012;22:21–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Engdahl B, Leuthold AC, Tan HR, Lewis SM, Winskowski AM, Dikel TN, Georgopoulos AP. Post-traumatic stress disorder: a right temporal lobe syndrome? J Neural Eng. 2010;7:066005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Galletly C, Clark CR, McFarlane AC, Weber DL. Working memory in posttraumatic stress disorder–an event-related potential study. J Trauma Stress. 2001;14:295–309.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Geuze E, Westenberg HG, Heinecke A, de Kloet CS, Goebel R, Vermetten E. Thinner prefrontal cortex in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. Neuroimage. 2008;41:675–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Geuze E, Vermetten E, de Kloet CS, Hijman R, Westenberg HG. Neuropsychological performance is related to current social and occupational functioning in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. Depress Anxiety. 2009;26:7–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ghisolfi ES, Margis R, Becker J, Zanardo AP, Strimitzer IM, Lara DR. Impaired P50 sensory gating in post-traumatic stress disorder secondary to urban violence. Int J Psychophysiol. 2004;51:209–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbertson MW, Gurvits TV, Lasko NB, Orr SP, Pitman RK. Multivariate assessment of explicit memory function in combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. J Trauma Stress. 2001;14:413–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gillette GM, Skinner RD, Rasco LM, Fielstein EM, Davis DH, Pawelak JE, Freeman TW, Karson CN, Boop FA, Garcia-Rill E. Combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder exhibit decreased habituation of the P1 midlatency auditory evoked potential. Life Sci. 1997;61:1421–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gjini K, Boutros NN, Haddad L, Aikins D, Javanbakht A, Amirsadri A, Tancer ME. Evoked potential correlates of post-traumatic stress disorder in refugees with history of exposure to torture. J Psychiatr Res. 2013;47:1492–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hanlon FM, Miller GA, Thoma RJ, Irwin J, Jones A, Moses SN, Huang M, Weisend MP, Paulson KM, Edgar JC, Adler LE, Canive JM. Distinct M50 and M100 auditory gating deficits in schizophrenia. Psychophysiology. 2005;42:417–27.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heller W. The neuropsychology of emotion: developmental patterns and implications for psychopathology. In: Stein BLLN, Trabasso T, editors. Psychological and biological approaches to emotion. Hillsdale: Lawrence Erlbaum; 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang MX, Edgar JC, Thoma RJ, Hanlon FM, Moses SN, Lee RR, Paulson KM, Weisend MP, Irwin JG, Bustillo JR, Adler LE, Miller GA, Canive JM. Predicting EEG responses using MEG sources in superior temporal gyrus reveals source asynchrony in patients with schizophrenia. Clin Neurophysiol. 2003;114:835–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hunter M, Villarreal G, McHaffie GR, Jimenez B, Smith AK, Calais LA, Hanlon F, Thoma RJ, Canive JM. Lateralized abnormalities in auditory M50 sensory gating and cortical thickness of the superior temporal gyrus in post-traumatic stress disorder: preliminary results. Psychiatry Res. 2011;191:138–44.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Javanbakht A, Liberzon I, Amirsadri A, Gjini K, Boutros NN. Event-related potential studies of post-traumatic stress disorder: a critical review and synthesis. Biol Mood Anxiety Disord. 2011;1:5.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins MA, Langlais PJ, Delis DA, Cohen RA. Attentional dysfunction associated with posttraumatic stress disorder among rape survivors. Clin Neuropsychol. 2000;14:7–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karl A, Malta LS, Maercker A. Meta-analytic review of event-related potential studies in post-traumatic stress disorder. Biol Psychol. 2006;71:123–47.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kemp AH, Griffiths K, Felmingham KL, Shankman SA, Drinkenburg W, Arns M, Clark CR, Bryant RA. Disorder specificity despite comorbidity: resting EEG alpha asymmetry in major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Biol Psychol. 2010;85:350–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim J, Chae JH, Ko HK, Latchoumane CF, Banerjee A, Mandell DJ, Hoven CW, Jeong J. Hemispheric asymmetry in non-linear interdependence of EEG in post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2012;66:87–96.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kisley MA, Noecker TL, Guinther PM. Comparison of sensory gating to mismatch negativity and self-reported perceptual phenomena in healthy adults. Psychophysiology. 2004;41:604–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lewine JD, Thoma RJ, Provencal SL, Edgar C, Miller GA, Canive JM. Abnormal stimulus-response intensity functions in posttraumatic stress disorder: an electrophysiological investigation. Am J Psychiatry. 2002;159:1689–95.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Litz BT, Weathers FW, Monaco V, Herman DS, Wulfsohn M, Marx B, Keane TM. Attention, arousal, and memory in posttraumatic stress disorder. J Trauma Stress. 1996;9:497–519.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Menning H, Renz A, Seifert J, Maercker A. Reduced mismatch negativity in posttraumatic stress disorder: a compensatory mechanism for chronic hyperarousal? Int J Psychophysiol. 2008;68:27–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Metzger LJ, Carson MA, Paulus LA, Lasko NB, Paige SR, Pitman RK, Orr SP. Event-related potentials to auditory stimuli in female Vietnam nurse veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. Psychophysiology. 2002;39:49–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Metzger LJ, Paige SR, Carson MA, Lasko NB, Paulus LA, Pitman RK, Orr SP. PTSD arousal and depression symptoms associated with increased right-sided parietal EEG asymmetry. J Abnorm Psychol. 2004;113:324–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Metzger LJ, Clark CR, McFarlane AC, Veltmeyer MD, Lasko NB, Paige SR, Pitman RK, Orr SP. Event-related potentials to auditory stimuli in monozygotic twins discordant for combat: association with PTSD. Psychophysiology. 2009;46:172–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mollica RF, Lyoo IK, Chernoff MC, Bui HX, Lavelle J, Yoon SJ, Kim JE, Renshaw PF. Brain structural abnormalities and mental health sequelae in South Vietnamese ex-political detainees who survived traumatic head injury and torture. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2009;66:1221–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan 3rd CA, Grillon C. Abnormal mismatch negativity in women with sexual assault-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Biol Psychiatry. 1999;45:827–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Neylan TC, Fletcher DJ, Lenoci M, McCallin K, Weiss DS, Schoenfeld FB, Marmar CR, Fein G. Sensory gating in chronic posttraumatic stress disorder: reduced auditory P50 suppression in combat veterans. Biol Psychiatry. 1999;46:1656–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Neylan TC, Jasiukaitis PA, Lenoci M, Scott JC, Metzler TJ, Weiss DS, Schoenfeld FB, Marmar CR. Temporal instability of auditory and visual event-related potentials in posttraumatic stress disorder. Biol Psychiatry. 2003;53:216–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Paige SR, Reid GM, Allen MG, Newton JE. Psychophysiological correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder in Vietnam veterans. Biol Psychiatry. 1990;27:419–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Patel R, Spreng RN, Shin LM, Girard TA. Neurocircuitry models of posttraumatic stress disorder and beyond: a meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2012;36:2130–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Patterson JV, Hetrick WP, Boutros NN, Jin Y, Sandman C, Stern H, Potkin S, Bunney Jr WE. P50 sensory gating ratios in schizophrenics and controls: a review and data analysis. Psychiatry Res. 2008;158:226–47.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pitman RK, Rasmusson AM, Koenen KC, Shin LM, Orr SP, Gilbertson MW, Milad MR, Liberzon I. Biological studies of post-traumatic stress disorder. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2012;13:769–87.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Polak AR, Witteveen AB, Reitsma JB, Olff M. The role of executive function in posttraumatic stress disorder: a systematic review. J Affect Disord. 2012;141:11–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rauch SL, Shin LM, Phelps EA. Neurocircuitry models of posttraumatic stress disorder and extinction: human neuroimaging research–past, present, and future. Biol Psychiatry. 2006;60:376–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Salat DH, Buckner RL, Snyder AZ, Greve DN, Desikan RS, Busa E, Morris JC, Dale AM, Fischl B. Thinning of the cerebral cortex in aging. Cereb Cortex. 2004;14:721–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schiffer F, Teicher MH, Papanicolaou AC. Evoked potential evidence for right brain activity during the recall of traumatic memories. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 1995;7:169–75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shankman SA, Silverstein SM, Williams LM, Hopkinson PJ, Kemp AH, Felmingham KL, Bryant RA, McFarlane A, Clark CR. Resting electroencephalogram asymmetry and posttraumatic stress disorder. J Trauma Stress. 2008;21:190–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shucard JL, McCabe DC, Szymanski H. An event-related potential study of attention deficits in posttraumatic stress disorder during auditory and visual Go/NoGo continuous performance tasks. Biol Psychol. 2008;79:223–33.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Skinner RD, Rasco LM, Fitzgerald J, Karson CN, Matthew M, Williams DK, Garcia-Rill E. Reduced sensory gating of the P1 potential in rape victims and combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. Depress Anxiety. 1999;9:122–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stein MB, Kennedy CM, Twamley EW. Neuropsychological function in female victims of intimate partner violence with and without posttraumatic stress disorder. Biol Psychiatry. 2002;52:1079–88.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart LP, White PM. Sensory filtering phenomenology in PTSD. Depress Anxiety. 2008;25:38–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thoma RJ, Hanlon FM, Moses SN, Edgar JC, Huang M, Weisend MP, Irwin J, Sherwood A, Paulson K, Bustillo J, Adler LE, Miller GA, Canive JM. Lateralization of auditory sensory gating and neuropsychological dysfunction in schizophrenia. Am J Psychiatry. 2003;160:1595–605.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thoma RJ, Hanlon FM, Sanchez N, Weisend MP, Huang M, Jones A, Miller GA, Canive JM. Auditory sensory gating deficit and cortical thickness in schizophrenia. Neurol Clin Neurophysiol. 2004;62:1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vasterling JJ, Brailey K, Constans JI, Sutker PB. Attention and memory dysfunction in posttraumatic stress disorder. Neuropsychology. 1998;12:125–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vasterling JJ, Duke LM, Brailey K, Constans JI, Allain Jr AN, Sutker PB. Attention, learning, and memory performances and intellectual resources in Vietnam veterans: PTSD and no disorder comparisons. Neuropsychology. 2002;16:5–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Veltmeyer MD, Clark CR, McFarlane AC, Felmingham KL, Bryant RA, Gordon E. Integrative assessment of brain and cognitive function in post-traumatic stress disorder. J Integr Neurosci. 2005;4:145–59.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Woodward SH, Schaer M, Kaloupek DG, Cediel L, Eliez S. Smaller global and regional cortical volume in combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2009;66:1373–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 18 Grant to Dr. Villarreal and the National Academies Ford Pre-Doctoral Fellowship and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (DGE-0903444) awarded to Mr. Hunter.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, University of New Mexico, R.G. Murphy VA Medical Center, 1501 San Pedro Dr SE (116A), Albuquerque, NM, 87108, USA

    Gerardo Villarreal

  2. Department of Psychology, The University of New Mexico, 1 University of New Mexico MSC03 2220 Logan Hall, Rm 278D, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA

    Michael A. Hunter

Authors
  1. Gerardo Villarreal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Michael A. Hunter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gerardo Villarreal .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Society and Health, Buckinghamshire New University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, United Kingdom

    Colin R. Martin

  2. FactyofLifeSci&Med,Diabts&NutrnSciRshDiv, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom

    Victor R. Preedy

  3. DepartofBiomedicalSci,SchoolofLifeScienc, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland (outside the USA)

About this entry

Cite this entry

Villarreal, G., Hunter, M.A. (2016). Auditory M50 Sensory Gating Deficit and Superior Temporal Gyrus Pathology in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. In: Martin, C., Preedy, V., Patel, V. (eds) Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08359-9_100

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation