Abnormal cerebellum density in victims of rape with post‐traumatic stress disorder: Voxel‐based analysis of magnetic resonance imaging investigation

Introduction: Based on early studies of non‐motor function in the cerebellum and dysfunction in the cerebellum of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients, we presumed that the cerebellum was involved in the neuropathology of cognitive and emotional processing of PTSD patients, while the density of some sub‐areas of the cerebellum of PTSD patients was most likely abnormal. Methods: Eleven female victims of rape with PTSD and 12 age‐matched female normal controls received 1.5 T 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. The scans were then analyzed using the voxel‐based morphometry 2 (VBM2) toolbox. Results: Victims of rape with PTSD showed increased cerebellum density on the left side compared with normal controls (P<0.001), especially in the pyramis (x=?9, y=?72, z=?36; k=519; t=4.70), uvula (x=?4, y=?66, z=?35; k=256; t=4.02), declive (x=?6, y=?69, z=?30; k=213; t=3.84) and nodule (x=?4, y=?63, z=?31; k=147; t=3.93). In addition, compared with normal controls, the PTSD group showed significant differences in gray matter density of other brain areas, including the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe (P<0.001), insula, posterior cingulate, amygdala and hippocampus (P<0.005). Discussion: These finding suggest that the cerebellum may be involved in the neuropathology and functional compensation in the neurocircuitry of PTSD.