Developmental variation in amygdala volumes among children with posttraumatic stress

Dev Neuropsychol. 2013;38(7):481-95. doi: 10.1080/87565641.2013.820307.

Abstract

This article examined associations between indices of maturation (age and Tanner stage) and amygdala volumes in 24 youth (aged 7-14) with posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and a matched control group. Fifteen of the youth with exposure to trauma were also re-evaluated one year later. A positive association between maturation and right amygdala volumes was observed in the trauma group but not in controls. Associations with maturation remained when controlling for a number of possible covariates and over time. Developmentally younger youth (Tanner stage 1 and 2) showed increases and older (Tanner stage 3 and 4) decreases in right amygdala volumes.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Amygdala / pathology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Child Development / physiology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Functional Laterality
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Organ Size
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / etiology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / pathology*