Psychosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Psychosis, including details on clinical depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder.

Posttraumatic stress disorder with secondary psychotic features: neurobiological findings.

Braakman MH, Kortmann FA, van den Brink W, Verkes RJ

Institute of Mental Health Care, Wolfheze, the Netherlands and Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Wolfheze 2, 6874 BE, Wolfheze, The Netherlands. m.braakman@degelderseroos.nl

The neurobiological knowledge on the potentially new diagnostic entity "posttraumatic stress disorder with secondary psychotic features" (PTSD-SP) is reviewed. Studies published between 1980 and 2006 were traced focussing on adult patients suffering from this "syndrome". Studies on cortisol, corticotrophin releasing hormone, dopamine beta-hydroxylase, smooth pursuit eye movements and psychopharmacology are described and potential pathophysiological mechanisms briefly discussed. More research is needed to validate the nosological status of PTSD-SP in order to promote neurobiological research and adequate therapeutic interventions.

Published 26 November 2007 in Prog Brain Res, 167: 299-302.
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