Probing reward function in post-traumatic stress disorder with beautiful facial images.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Reward dysfunction may be implicated in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study applied a behavioral probe, known to activate brain reward regions, to subjects with PTSD. Male heterosexual Vietnam veterans with (n = 12) or without (n = 11) current PTSD were administered two tasks: (a) key pressing to change the viewing time of average or beautiful female or male facial images, and (b) rating the attractiveness of these images. There were no significant group differences in the attractiveness ratings. However, PTSD patients expended less effort to extend the viewing time of the beautiful female faces. These findings suggest a reward deficit in PTSD.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Elman, I; Ariely, D; Mazar, N; Aharon, I; Lasko, NB; Macklin, ML; Orr, SP; Lukas, SE; Pitman, RK
Published Date
- June 2005
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 135 / 3
Start / End Page
- 179 - 183
PubMed ID
- 15993948
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1872-7123
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0165-1781
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/j.psychres.2005.04.002
Language
- eng