If they only had a brain...that could be measured, that is.
Latest news on the PTSD medical research front reveals that a specific region of the hippocamus portion of the brain known as the CA3/dentate gyrus is more than 11 percent smaller on average in those veterans with PTSD.
What does that mean, exactly? You can read the full article (or the actual study if you're so inclined), but I'd be happy to do you a service and give you the right-brain thinkers' version of it, a.k.a: "Hippos, Dental Floss and Greek Gyru Sandwiches for the Medically Ignorant."
So, here—after much stretching of my own pea-sized "dentate gyrus"—is my take on the results of this massively funded study (courtesy of your tax dollars):
1. CA3/dentate gyrus is the region in the hippocamus region of the brain. Hippocamus, for those of you who weren't paying attention in Biology class, is the finger-joint size structure found in both hemispheres of the brain. It is essential for laying down memories, as well as for retrieving them. In other words, you can survive a hip replacement, but if you lose, hurt, or damage your hippocamus (on campus or otherwise) you'll become an instant walking amnesiac.
2. The CA3/dentate gyrus is a bit more complicated. This name actually refers to two sections of the hippocamus, but since they are closely intertwined, they cannot be "imaged" separately. The only thing that's important to remember as it pertains to PTSD suffers, is that (a) both areas are directly affected by stress (meaning the changes can actually show up in PTSD sufferers); (b) the combined CA3/dentate gyrus area of the brain has now been proven to be 11 percent smaller on average in veterans with PTSD and (c) dentate gyrus, which contains adult stem cells, has the ability to create new neurons.
3. The ability to create neurons is a good thing for PTSD sufferers. It means, in essence, that these changes might actually be reversible through treatment.
4. Since these changes can be both measured and reversible, that means that PTSD can one day be diagnosed as a measurable, and possibly treatable PHYSICAL WOUND vs. a form of MENTAL ILLNESS.
5. Now, the reason those suffering from combat-related PTSD–as well as their families–want this diagnosis to be changed from that of a mental affliction vs. a physical one, is that that will make a HUGE difference in the way soldiers are treated–or not treated as the case may be––by the existing military machinery, including the VA. It could also make the difference how soldiers are treated by other soldiers. In other words, "Cry babies" or "buttercups" who need to just toughen up and rejoin the ranks of their blood brothers will be differentiated between those soldiers suffering from a quantifiable and measurable affliction as valid as a missing body part or any other such war-related physical injury.
And there you have it...a shrinking brain that can be measured might just mean a measure of justice for soldiers suffering from PTSD. And that can come none too soon.
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