Prefrontal cortical deficits are a putative susceptibility factor for PTSD

Susceptible rats showed mPFC deficits both at the cellular and behavioral level before PTSD-inducing trauma. Combined with the findings from the human data, these results support the hypothesis that mPFC deficits in males exist before trauma and thus are a putative susceptibility factor for PTSD. Whether these deficits are a bona fide susceptibility factor will be determined in future studies by testing if enhancing mPFC function in susceptible individuals before trauma will confer resilience to developing PTSD. Building resilience is crucial for minimizing the number of people suffering from PTSD, given that it is difficult to treat and treatments are resource intensive and benefit only a subpopulation of people suffering from PTSD.