PTSDn

PTSDn is a term used in some research contexts to denote a proposed subset of post-traumatic stress disorder characterized by concurrent neurobiological abnormalities. It is not an official diagnostic category in major classification systems such as DSM-5-TR or ICD-11, and its use varies across studies and clinical settings. The label is typically applied to individuals whose PTSD symptoms are accompanied by measurable neurobiological features that researchers associate with altered brain function or immune signaling.

Core clinical features of PTSDn align with those of PTSD, including intrusive memories, avoidance, negative mood and cognitions, and hyperarousal. In addition, PTSDn descriptions often emphasize biomarkers or imaging findings, such as heightened inflammatory markers, dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity, and functional or structural differences in brain regions involved in fear processing and regulation (for example, the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex). Sleep disruption and cognitive changes may be more prominent in some cases.

Diagnosis of PTSDn is not standardized. Researchers typically combine clinical assessment with biomarker data or neuroimaging results, but there is no consensus criteria or validated testing package. As a result, PTSDn remains a research construct rather than a formal diagnosis, used to explore heterogeneity within PTSD and to identify subgroups that might respond differently to treatment.

Treatment for PTSDn is generally guided by established PTSD therapies, such as trauma-focused psychotherapy and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. In research settings, adjunctive approaches targeting neurobiological mechanisms—such as anti-inflammatory strategies, neuromodulation, or neurofeedback—are being explored, though they have not established clinical guidelines. Ongoing studies aim to clarify the validity, utility, and boundaries of the PTSDn concept.