In vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the medial temporal lobes of former prisoners of war with and without posttraumatic stress disorder.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to compare medial temporal lobe (MTL) concentrations of N-acetylaspartate and choline between former prisoners of war (POWs) with and without posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). MTL N-acetylaspartate and reexperiencing symptoms correlated strongly in the POW subjects with PTSD, suggesting a relationship between reexperiencing symptoms and the integrity of MTL structures.