A new study has examined brains affected by PTSD at the single-cell level, uncovering distinct genetic alterations that may drive the disorder. Researchers focused on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a brain region tied to emotional regulation, analyzing individual cell nuclei to map communication differences across PTSD, major depression, and control brains. They found impaired signaling in inhibitory neurons in PTSD, potentially explaining hyperarousal symptoms, and opposing patterns of microglial activity in PTSD versus depression. Vascular endothelial cells in PTSD brains also showed signs of dysfunction, possibly increasing stress hormone exposure.
