Brain dynamics reflecting an intra-network brain state are associated with increased post-traumatic stress symptoms in the early aftermath of trauma

Mohammad S.E. Sendi; Zening Fu; Nathaniel G. Harnett; Sanne J.H. van Rooij; Victor Vergara; Diego A. Pizzagalli; Nikolaos P. Daskalakis; Stacey L. House; Francesca L. Beaudoin; Xinming An; Thomas C. Neylan; Gari D. Clifford; Tanja Jovanovic; Sarah D. Linnstaedt; Laura T. Germine; Kenneth A. Bollen; Scott L. Rauch; John P. Haran; Alan B. Storrow; Christopher Lewandowski; Paul I. Musey; Phyllis L. Hendry; Sophia Sheikh; Christopher W. Jones; Brittany E. Punches; Robert A. Swor; Nina T. Gentile; Vishnu P. Murty; Lauren A. Hudak; Jose L. Pascual; Mark J. Seamon; Erica Harris; Anna M. Chang; Claire Pearson; David A. Peak; Roland C. Merchant; Robert M. Domeier; Niels K. Rathlev; Brian J. O’Neil; Paulina Sergot; Leon D. Sanchez; Steven E. Bruce; John F. Sheridan; Steven E. Harte; Ronald C. Kessler; Karestan C. Koenen; Samuel A. McLean; Jennifer S. Stevens; Vince D. Calhoun; Kerry J. Ressler

doi:10.1038/s44220-024-00377-0

Brain dynamics reflecting an intra-network brain state are associated with increased post-traumatic stress symptoms in the early aftermath of trauma

Mohammad S.E. Sendi, Zening Fu, Nathaniel G. Harnett, Sanne J.H. van Rooij, Victor Vergara, Diego A. Pizzagalli, Nikolaos P. Daskalakis, Stacey L. House, Francesca L. Beaudoin, Xinming An, Thomas C. Neylan, Gari D. Clifford, Tanja Jovanovic, Sarah D. Linnstaedt, Laura T. Germine, Kenneth A. Bollen, Scott L. Rauch, John P. Haran, Alan B. Storrow, Christopher LewandowskiPaul I. Musey, Phyllis L. Hendry, Sophia Sheikh, Christopher W. Jones, Brittany E. Punches, Robert A. Swor, Nina T. Gentile, Vishnu P. Murty, Lauren A. Hudak, Jose L. Pascual, Mark J. Seamon, Erica Harris, Anna M. Chang, Claire Pearson, David A. Peak, Roland C. Merchant, Robert M. Domeier, Niels K. Rathlev, Brian J. O’Neil, Paulina Sergot, Leon D. Sanchez, Steven E. Bruce, John F. Sheridan, Steven E. Harte, Ronald C. Kessler, Karestan C. Koenen, Samuel A. McLean, Jennifer S. Stevens, Vince D. Calhoun, Kerry J. Ressler

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Abstract

Post-traumatic stress (PTS) encompasses a range of psychological responses following trauma, which may lead to more severe outcomes such as post-traumatic-stress disorder (PTSD). Identifying early neuroimaging biomarkers that link brain function to PTS outcomes is critical for understanding PTSD risk. This longitudinal study examines the association between brain dynamic functional network connectivity and current/future PTS symptom severity, and the impact of sex on this relationship. By analyzing 275 participants’ dynamic functional network connectivity data obtained ~2 weeks after trauma exposure, we noted that brain dynamics of an inter-network brain state link negatively with current (r = −0.197, P_corrected = 0.0079) and future (r = –0.176, P_corrected = 0.0176) PTS symptom severity. In addition, dynamics of an intra-network brain state correlated with future symptom intensity (r = 0.205, P_corrected = 0.0079). We additionally observed that the association between the network dynamics of the inter-network and intra-network brain state with symptom severity is more pronounced in the female group. Our findings highlight a potential link between brain network dynamics in the aftermath of trauma with current and future PTSD outcomes, with a stronger effect in the female group, underscoring the importance of sex differences.

Original language	English
Article number	129
Pages (from-to)	185-198
Number of pages	14
Journal	Nature Mental Health
Volume	3
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-024-00377-0
State	Published - Feb 2025

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Sendi, M. S. E., Fu, Z., Harnett, N. G., van Rooij, S. J. H., Vergara, V., Pizzagalli, D. A., Daskalakis, N. P., House, S. L., Beaudoin, F. L., An, X., Neylan, T. C., Clifford, G. D., Jovanovic, T., Linnstaedt, S. D., Germine, L. T., Bollen, K. A., Rauch, S. L., Haran, J. P., Storrow, A. B., ... Ressler, K. J. (2025). Brain dynamics reflecting an intra-network brain state are associated with increased post-traumatic stress symptoms in the early aftermath of trauma. Nature Mental Health, 3(2), 185-198. Article 129. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-024-00377-0

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title = "Brain dynamics reflecting an intra-network brain state are associated with increased post-traumatic stress symptoms in the early aftermath of trauma",

abstract = "Post-traumatic stress (PTS) encompasses a range of psychological responses following trauma, which may lead to more severe outcomes such as post-traumatic-stress disorder (PTSD). Identifying early neuroimaging biomarkers that link brain function to PTS outcomes is critical for understanding PTSD risk. This longitudinal study examines the association between brain dynamic functional network connectivity and current/future PTS symptom severity, and the impact of sex on this relationship. By analyzing 275 participants{\textquoteright} dynamic functional network connectivity data obtained ~2 weeks after trauma exposure, we noted that brain dynamics of an inter-network brain state link negatively with current (r = −0.197, Pcorrected = 0.0079) and future (r = –0.176, Pcorrected = 0.0176) PTS symptom severity. In addition, dynamics of an intra-network brain state correlated with future symptom intensity (r = 0.205, Pcorrected = 0.0079). We additionally observed that the association between the network dynamics of the inter-network and intra-network brain state with symptom severity is more pronounced in the female group. Our findings highlight a potential link between brain network dynamics in the aftermath of trauma with current and future PTSD outcomes, with a stronger effect in the female group, underscoring the importance of sex differences.",

author = "Sendi, {Mohammad S.E.} and Zening Fu and Harnett, {Nathaniel G.} and {van Rooij}, {Sanne J.H.} and Victor Vergara and Pizzagalli, {Diego A.} and Daskalakis, {Nikolaos P.} and House, {Stacey L.} and Beaudoin, {Francesca L.} and Xinming An and Neylan, {Thomas C.} and Clifford, {Gari D.} and Tanja Jovanovic and Linnstaedt, {Sarah D.} and Germine, {Laura T.} and Bollen, {Kenneth A.} and Rauch, {Scott L.} and Haran, {John P.} and Storrow, {Alan B.} and Christopher Lewandowski and Musey, {Paul I.} and Hendry, {Phyllis L.} and Sophia Sheikh and Jones, {Christopher W.} and Punches, {Brittany E.} and Swor, {Robert A.} and Gentile, {Nina T.} and Murty, {Vishnu P.} and Hudak, {Lauren A.} and Pascual, {Jose L.} and Seamon, {Mark J.} and Erica Harris and Chang, {Anna M.} and Claire Pearson and Peak, {David A.} and Merchant, {Roland C.} and Domeier, {Robert M.} and Rathlev, {Niels K.} and O{\textquoteright}Neil, {Brian J.} and Paulina Sergot and Sanchez, {Leon D.} and Bruce, {Steven E.} and Sheridan, {John F.} and Harte, {Steven E.} and Kessler, {Ronald C.} and Koenen, {Karestan C.} and McLean, {Samuel A.} and Stevens, {Jennifer S.} and Calhoun, {Vince D.} and Ressler, {Kerry J.}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature America, Inc. 2025.",

year = "2025",

month = feb,

doi = "10.1038/s44220-024-00377-0",

language = "English",

volume = "3",

pages = "185--198",

journal = "Nature Mental Health",

issn = "2731-6076",

number = "2",

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Sendi, MSE, Fu, Z, Harnett, NG, van Rooij, SJH, Vergara, V, Pizzagalli, DA, Daskalakis, NP, House, SL, Beaudoin, FL, An, X, Neylan, TC, Clifford, GD, Jovanovic, T, Linnstaedt, SD, Germine, LT, Bollen, KA, Rauch, SL, Haran, JP, Storrow, AB, Lewandowski, C, Musey, PI, Hendry, PL, Sheikh, S, Jones, CW, Punches, BE, Swor, RA, Gentile, NT, Murty, VP, Hudak, LA, Pascual, JL, Seamon, MJ, Harris, E, Chang, AM, Pearson, C, Peak, DA, Merchant, RC, Domeier, RM, Rathlev, NK, O’Neil, BJ, Sergot, P, Sanchez, LD, Bruce, SE, Sheridan, JF, Harte, SE, Kessler, RC, Koenen, KC, McLean, SA, Stevens, JS, Calhoun, VD & Ressler, KJ 2025, 'Brain dynamics reflecting an intra-network brain state are associated with increased post-traumatic stress symptoms in the early aftermath of trauma', Nature Mental Health, vol. 3, no. 2, 129, pp. 185-198. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-024-00377-0

TY - JOUR

T1 - Brain dynamics reflecting an intra-network brain state are associated with increased post-traumatic stress symptoms in the early aftermath of trauma

AU - Sendi, Mohammad S.E.

AU - Fu, Zening

AU - Harnett, Nathaniel G.

AU - van Rooij, Sanne J.H.

AU - Vergara, Victor

AU - Pizzagalli, Diego A.

AU - Daskalakis, Nikolaos P.

AU - House, Stacey L.

AU - Beaudoin, Francesca L.

AU - An, Xinming

AU - Neylan, Thomas C.

AU - Clifford, Gari D.

AU - Jovanovic, Tanja

AU - Linnstaedt, Sarah D.

AU - Germine, Laura T.

AU - Bollen, Kenneth A.

AU - Rauch, Scott L.

AU - Haran, John P.

AU - Storrow, Alan B.

AU - Lewandowski, Christopher

AU - Musey, Paul I.

AU - Hendry, Phyllis L.

AU - Sheikh, Sophia

AU - Jones, Christopher W.

AU - Punches, Brittany E.

AU - Swor, Robert A.

AU - Gentile, Nina T.

AU - Murty, Vishnu P.

AU - Hudak, Lauren A.

AU - Pascual, Jose L.

AU - Seamon, Mark J.

AU - Harris, Erica

AU - Chang, Anna M.

AU - Pearson, Claire

AU - Peak, David A.

AU - Merchant, Roland C.

AU - Domeier, Robert M.

AU - Rathlev, Niels K.

AU - O’Neil, Brian J.

AU - Sergot, Paulina

AU - Sanchez, Leon D.

AU - Bruce, Steven E.

AU - Sheridan, John F.

AU - Harte, Steven E.

AU - Kessler, Ronald C.

AU - Koenen, Karestan C.

AU - McLean, Samuel A.

AU - Stevens, Jennifer S.

AU - Calhoun, Vince D.

AU - Ressler, Kerry J.

PY - 2025/2

Y1 - 2025/2

N2 - Post-traumatic stress (PTS) encompasses a range of psychological responses following trauma, which may lead to more severe outcomes such as post-traumatic-stress disorder (PTSD). Identifying early neuroimaging biomarkers that link brain function to PTS outcomes is critical for understanding PTSD risk. This longitudinal study examines the association between brain dynamic functional network connectivity and current/future PTS symptom severity, and the impact of sex on this relationship. By analyzing 275 participants’ dynamic functional network connectivity data obtained ~2 weeks after trauma exposure, we noted that brain dynamics of an inter-network brain state link negatively with current (r = −0.197, Pcorrected = 0.0079) and future (r = –0.176, Pcorrected = 0.0176) PTS symptom severity. In addition, dynamics of an intra-network brain state correlated with future symptom intensity (r = 0.205, Pcorrected = 0.0079). We additionally observed that the association between the network dynamics of the inter-network and intra-network brain state with symptom severity is more pronounced in the female group. Our findings highlight a potential link between brain network dynamics in the aftermath of trauma with current and future PTSD outcomes, with a stronger effect in the female group, underscoring the importance of sex differences.

AB - Post-traumatic stress (PTS) encompasses a range of psychological responses following trauma, which may lead to more severe outcomes such as post-traumatic-stress disorder (PTSD). Identifying early neuroimaging biomarkers that link brain function to PTS outcomes is critical for understanding PTSD risk. This longitudinal study examines the association between brain dynamic functional network connectivity and current/future PTS symptom severity, and the impact of sex on this relationship. By analyzing 275 participants’ dynamic functional network connectivity data obtained ~2 weeks after trauma exposure, we noted that brain dynamics of an inter-network brain state link negatively with current (r = −0.197, Pcorrected = 0.0079) and future (r = –0.176, Pcorrected = 0.0176) PTS symptom severity. In addition, dynamics of an intra-network brain state correlated with future symptom intensity (r = 0.205, Pcorrected = 0.0079). We additionally observed that the association between the network dynamics of the inter-network and intra-network brain state with symptom severity is more pronounced in the female group. Our findings highlight a potential link between brain network dynamics in the aftermath of trauma with current and future PTSD outcomes, with a stronger effect in the female group, underscoring the importance of sex differences.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85217175993&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1038/s44220-024-00377-0

DO - 10.1038/s44220-024-00377-0

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85217175993

SN - 2731-6076

VL - 3

SP - 185

EP - 198

JO - Nature Mental Health

JF - Nature Mental Health

IS - 2

M1 - 129

ER -

Brain dynamics reflecting an intra-network brain state are associated with increased post-traumatic stress symptoms in the early aftermath of trauma

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