The author reports findings from recent psychophysiological and
biochemical research on Vietnam combat veterans with chronic posttraumatic
stress disorder. Applying these data and the analogy of the known
functional and structural defects in the peripheral (cranial) sensory
system consequent to high-intensity stimulation, he hypothesizes that
cortical neuronal and synaptic changes occur in posttraumatic stress
disorder as the consequence of excessive and prolonged sensitizing
stimulation leading to depression of habituating learning. He postulates
that the "constant" symptoms of the disorder are due to the changes in the
agonistic neuronal system which impair cortical control of hindbrain
structures concerned with aggressive expression and the sleep-dream
cycle.Abstract Teaser