Neuroimaging in PTSD-related psychotherapies

Neuroimaging studies conducted in PTSD patients who have undergone various psychological treatments have provided evidence of modifications in cerebral blood flow (single photon emission computer tomography, SPECT), neuronal volume and density (magnetic resonance imaging, MRI), and, more recently, brain electric signal (electroencephalography, EEG). However, to date the number of such studies is still far too limited since only a few psychotherapies have been investigated using SPECT and MRI. In this respect, a recent study designed to monitor psychotherapy-related neurobiological changes is expected to pave the way for a new concept in PTSD treatment investigations. The purpose of this chapter is to review the results of functional and structural changes being reported in PTSD treatments during the period from 1999 to 2012, to present a critical review and to analyze the reported pathophysiological changes.