Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex psychiatric condition that has generated much attention in the neuroimaging literature. A neurocircuitry model supporting fronto-limbic dysfunction as a major player in facilitating clinical symptoms of PTSD is well-characterized; however, recent literature suggests that network-based approaches may provide additional insight into neural dysfunction in PTSD. Our analysis uses resting-state neuroimaging scans of 1063 adults from the PGC-ENIGMA PTSD Consortium to investigate a network-based model of functional connectivity in PTSD. With a novel, resolution limit-free community detection approach, 16 communities corresponding to functionally meaningful networks were detected with high quality. After group-level community detection, participants were classified into three groups (PTSD, n=418, trauma-exposed controls without PTSD, n=434, and non-trauma exposed healthy controls, n=211). Individual network connectivity metrics were calculated, including whole-brain, default mode network, and central executive network participation coefficient and connectivity strength. Linear mixed effects models revealed group differences in the whole-brain, default mode, and central executive network participation coefficient and connectivity strength such that individuals with PTSD demonstrated overall greater values. We also described sex differences such that males demonstrate greater whole-brain participation coefficient vs. females and females demonstrate greater default mode network connectivity strength vs. males. Our results suggest that PTSD in adults is associated with reduced specialization and enhanced inter-module communication throughout the brain network, which may contribute to inefficient information processing and poor emotional regulation. This study presents a novel use of resolution limit-free community detection in a large PTSD sample, revealing robust differences in resting-state network topology.

中文翻译：

---

无分辨率限制社区检测揭示了创伤后应激障碍中静息状态网络连接的独特模式：PGC-ENIGMA PTSD 联盟调查

创伤后应激障碍 (PTSD) 是一种复杂的精神疾病，在神经影像学文献中引起了广泛关注。支持额边缘功能障碍作为促进 PTSD 临床症状的主要参与者的神经电路模型得到了很好的表征；然而，最近的文献表明，基于网络的方法可能为 PTSD 中的神经功能障碍提供额外的洞察力。我们的分析使用来自 PGC-ENIGMA PTSD 联盟的 1063 名成年人的静息状态神经影像扫描来研究基于网络的 PTSD 功能连接模型。通过一种新颖的、无分辨率限制的社区检测方法，高质量地检测到了对应于具有功能意义的网络的 16 个社区。经过组级社区检测后，参与者被分为三组（PTSD、n = 418，没有 PTSD 的创伤暴露对照，n = 434，和非创伤暴露的健康对照，n=211）。计算单个网络连接指标，包括全脑、默认模式网络和中央执行网络参与系数和连接强度。线性混合效应模型揭示了全脑、默认模式和中央执行网络参与系数和连接强度的群体差异，使得患有 PTSD 的个体表现出更大的整体价值。我们还描述了性别差异，男性与女性相比表现出更大的全脑参与系数，女性与男性相比表现出更大的默认模式网络连接强度。我们的研究结果表明，成人的 PTSD 与整个大脑网络的专业化程度降低和模块间交流增强有关，这可能导致信息处理效率低下和情绪调节能力差。本研究提出了在大型 PTSD 样本中使用分辨率无限制社区检测的新方法，揭示了静息状态网络拓扑结构的强大差异。