Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-2026
Publisher
Elsevier
Source Publication
Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging
Source ISSN
2451-9022
Original Item ID
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2025.07.005
Abstract
Background
Identifying robust neural signatures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms is important to facilitate precision psychiatry and help in understanding and treatment of the disorder. Emergent research suggests that the structural covariance of early visual regions is associated with later PTSD development. However, large-scale analyses are needed in heterogeneous samples of trauma-exposed and trauma-naïve individuals to determine whether such a neural signature is a robust marker of vulnerability.
Methods
We analyzed data from the ENIGMA (Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta Analysis)-PTSD dataset (N = 2814) and the HCP-YA (Human Connectome Project–Young Adult) dataset (N= 890) to investigate whether the structural covariance of the early visual cortex is associated with either PTSD symptoms or perceived stress. Structural covariance was derived from a multimodal pattern previously identified in recent trauma survivors, and participant loadings on the profile were included in linear mixed effects models to evaluate associations with stress.
Results
Early visual cortex covariance loadings were negatively associated with PTSD symptoms in the ENIGMA-PTSD dataset. The relationship persisted when accounting for prior childhood maltreatment; supporting PTSD symptom specificity, no relationship was observed with depressive symptoms, and no association was observed between loadings and perceived stress measures in the HCP-YA dataset.
Conclusions
The structural covariance of early visual cortex was robustly associated with PTSD symptoms across an international, heterogeneous sample of trauma survivors. Future studies should aim to identify specific mechanisms that underlie structural alterations in the visual cortex to better understand posttrauma psychopathology.
Recommended Citation
Fitzgerald, Jacklynn M., "Structural Covariance of Early Visual Cortex Is Negatively Associated With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: A Mega-Analysis From the ENIGMA PTSD Working Group" (2026). Psychology Faculty Research and Publications. 676.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/psych_fac/676
Comments
Accepted version. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Vol. 11, No. 1 (July 2025): 48-57. DOI. © Society of Biological Psychiatry, published by Elsevier Inc. Used with permission.
See Article for Full Author List.