Traumatized women are more likely than traumatized men to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Still, the inclusion of females in animal models of PTSD has largely been avoided, likely due to the variable hormone profile of female rodents. Because a valid animal model of PTSD that incorporates females is still needed, we examined the influence of estrous stage and ovarian hormones on the female rat response to a predator-based psychosocial stress model of PTSD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPeople who are exposed to life-threatening trauma are at risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition to psychological manifestations, PTSD is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, hypertension, and other cardiovascular problems. We previously reported that rats exposed to a predator-based model of PTSD develop myocardial hypersensitivity to ischemic injury.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychological disorder typified by diagnostic symptom clusters including hyperarousal, avoidance, negative cognitions and mood, and intrusive re-experiencing of the traumatic event. Patients with PTSD have been reported to self-medicate with alcohol to ameliorate hyperarousal symptoms associated with the disorder. Research utilizing rodent models of PTSD to emulate this behavioral phenomenon has thus far yielded inconsistent results.
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