Table 1.

Major neural structures thought to underlie memory dysfunction in PTSD

Brain structure	Memory function	Memory deficits in PTSD
Hippocampus	Declarative memory	Declarative memory ↓
	Integration in space and time	Fragmentation of memories
		Trauma-related amnesia
Amygdala	Fear conditioning	Conditioning↑ + sensitization↑
	Emotional memory	Enhanced traumatic memories
Prefrontal cortex	Inhibition of irrelevant stimuli and responses	Failure to inhibit irrelevant cognitions
		Working memory↓
	Working memory	Inhibition of emotions↓, intrusions↑
	Inhibition of activation of the amygdala	Deficits in attention/concentration
	Sustained attention