A mega-analysis of vertex and gyral cortical thickness differences in adults with and without PTSD
Authors: Xie Hong , O'Leary Erin , Shih Chia-Hao , Cotton Andrew , Wall John , Chen Tian , Liu Rong , Xu Kevin , Abdallah Chadi , Andrew Elpiniki , Baird C. Lexi , Baugh Lee , Bomyea Jessica , Bruce Steven , Bryant Richard , Choi Kyle , Daniels Judith , Davenport Nicholas , Davidson Richard , De Bellis Micheal , Dennis Emily , deRoon-Cassini Terri , Disner Seth , Fani Negar , Fercho Kelene , Fitzgerald Jacklynn , Forster Gina , Frijling Jessie , Geuze Elbert , Gomaa Hassan , Gordon Evan , Grupe Daniel , Harpaz-Rotem Ilan , Haswell Courtney , Herzog Julia , Hofmann Davia , Hollifield Micheal , Hosseini Bobak , Hudson Anna , Ipser Jonathan , Jahanshad Neda , Jovanovic Tanja , Kaufman Milissa , King Anthony , koch Saskia , Koerte Inga , Koopowitz Sheri-Michelle , Korgaonkar Mayuresh , Krystal John , Larson Christine , Lebois Lauren , Levy Ifat , Li Gen , Logue Mark , Magnotta Vincent , Manthey Antje , May Geoffrey , McLaughlin Katie , Mueller Sven , Nawijn Laura , Nelson  , Neria Yuval , Nitschke Jack , Olff Miranda , Olson Elizabeth , Peverill Matthew , Phan K Luan , Rashid Faisal , Ressler Kerry , Rosso Isabelle , Salminen Lauren , Sambrook Kelly , Scheffler Freda , Schmahl Christian , Shenton Martha , Sierk Anika , Simons Jeffrey , Simons Raluca , Sponheim Scott , Stein Dan , Stein Murray , Stevens Jennifer , Straube Thomas , Suarez-Jimenez Benjamin , Tamburrino Marijo , Thomopoulos Sophia , Wee Nic van der , Werff Steven van der , Erp Theo van , Rooij Sanne van , Zuiden Mirjam van , Varkevisser Tim , Veltman Dick , Vermeiren Robert , Walter Henrik , Wang Li , Zhu Xi , Zhu Ye , Thompson Paul , Wang Xin , Morey Rajendra , Liberzon Israel 
Published: October 2022

A number of studies of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) report thinner cerebral cortical gyri using gyrus-based analysis or thinner foci within the gyri using vertex-based analysis. However, the locations of these findings are inconsistent across studies, and the spatial transformations required during vertex-based analysis may affect the focal findings. A mega-analysis using a large number of subjects from multiple PTSD studies could potentially identify more reproducible cortical thickness abnormalities. Investigating both the vertex and gyral thicknesses simultaneously may verify the vertex-based focal findings using gyral data without imposing any spatial transformation. Here we aggregated data from 24 international laboratories using ENIGMA standardized procedures for 949 adult PTSD patients and 1493 controls without PTSD (age 18 to 65 years). We examined whether gyral and vertex cortical thickness are (a) different between subjects with PTSD and controls and (b) associated with PTSD symptom severity in trauma-exposed subjects. Regions with overlapping thinner cortical gyri and thinner vertex clusters were located in frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital cortices. Thinner right lateral orbitofrontal and right lingual gyri and concomitantly thinner vertex clusters in the anterior portions of both gyri were associated with PTSD symptom severity. Convergent findings in these locations suggest focally thinner cortex in these gyri, which may be involved in altered processing and regulation of emotion and sensory inputs underlying posttraumatic stress symptoms.