Neurobiological Correlates of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) During Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Male OIF/OEF returnees between the ages of 18 and 45 years old
Combat Exposure Scale score > 17
Not taking medications known to affect sleep or wake function for at least 2 weeks (6 weeks for fluoxetine).
No history of trauma before age 18

Specific Inclusion Criteria for Subjects with PTSD:

Specific Inclusion Criteria for Subjects without PTSD:

Exclusion Criteria

Trauma occurred less than 3 months prior to study entry
CES score < 17
Taking medications known to affect sleep and / or brain glucose metabolism
Current diagnosis of depression as determined by the SCID or BDI score > 13
History of psychotic or bipolar disorder
Current history (within 3 months) of substance or alcohol abuse as determined by the SCID
Positive alcohol blood test at screening or during the PET protocol
Significant or unstable acute or chronic medical conditions
Other current sleep disorders, such as insufficient sleep syndrome, delayed sleep phase syndrome, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, periodic leg movement disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and current night shift work, suspected during the structured interview. Individuals who are found to have a apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) > 10 or an index of periodic leg movements with arousal > 15 will be excluded.
Presence of implanted devices such as cardiac pacemaker, aneurysm clip, ear implant, shrapnel, neurostimulators or other metal devices
Fear of closed spaces
Previous radiation. Due to the risk of radiation exposure, we will exclude subjects who have had PET scans or other radiotracer exposure in the previous year.
History of open head injury.

Study & Design

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Combat Veterans with PTSD	Sleep data recording	Male Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and/or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), ages 18-50, with Combat Exposure Scale score \> 17, who are not on medication and do not have trauma history before age 18.
Combat Veterans with PTSD	PET scan - waking	Male Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and/or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), ages 18-50, with Combat Exposure Scale score \> 17, who are not on medication and do not have trauma history before age 18.
Combat Veterans with PTSD	PET scan - REM Sleep	Male Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and/or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), ages 18-50, with Combat Exposure Scale score \> 17, who are not on medication and do not have trauma history before age 18.
Combat Veterans without PTSD	Sleep data recording	Male Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and/or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), ages 18-50, with combat experience, who are not suffering from PTSD, and who are not on medication.
Combat Veterans without PTSD	PET scan - waking	Male Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and/or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), ages 18-50, with combat experience, who are not suffering from PTSD, and who are not on medication.
Combat Veterans without PTSD	PET scan - REM Sleep	Male Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and/or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), ages 18-50, with combat experience, who are not suffering from PTSD, and who are not on medication.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Brain glucose metabolism	During REM sleep

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method

Recruitment & Eligibility