engleski

Platelet monoamine oxidase activity, ego strength, and neuroticism in soldiers with combat-related current posttraumatic stress disorder

Aim was to assess possible differences in platelet monoamino oxidase-B (MAO-B) activity, ego strength, and neuroticism in combat-experienced soldiers with or without current posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The soldiers with current PTSD (N=36) and a control group of 34 healthy soldiers were matched in combat experience, time passed between combat experience and the study, demographic variables (age, marital status, education), and smoking status. Platelet MAO-B was assayed fluorometrically, ego strength was measured by the Croatian version of the Ego Identity Scale, and neuroticism by the N-scale from Eysenck's EPQ-R questionnaire. Soldiers with combat-related current PTSD had lower platelet MAO-B activity than the control group (9.1 +/- 2.9 vs. 11.9 +/- 4.0 ; p<0.05), as well as lower ego strength (86.3 +/-8.3 vs. 108.6 +/- 13.4 ; p<0.05) and higher neuroticism (23.5 +/- 13.2 vs. 5.9 +/- 4.7 ; p<0.05). There was no association of ego strength or neuroticism with platelet MAO-B activity. Ego identity strength and emotional stability are associated with successful coping with combat trauma. The involvement of platelet MAO-B activity in biological basis of ego strength and neuroticism could not be demonstrated.

Croatia; ego; monoamine oxidase; neurotic disorders; personality tests; psychotrauma; PTSD; veterans; war

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