Attention, learning, and memory performances and intellectual resources in Vietnam veterans: PTSD and no disorder comparisons.

Abstract

Attention, learning, memory, and estimated intellectual potential were examined in 26 Vietnam veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and in 21 Vietnam veterans without mental disorders. Results revealed PTSD-associated cognitive deficits on tasks of sustained attention, working memory, initial learning, and estimated premorbid intelligence but not on measures of focus of attention, shift of attention, or memory savings. Cognitive task performances adjusted for estimated native intelligence remained negatively correlated with PTSD severity. An intellectual measure adjusted for cognitive task performances was negatively correlated with PTSD severity, even after the authors statistically controlled the level of combat exposure. Results suggested that although intellectual resources may constitute a vulnerability–protective factor for PTSD development, PTSD was associated with cognitive impairment independent of intellectual functioning.

Neuropsychological Sequelae of PTSD and TBI Following War Deployment among OEF/OIF Veterans

“…Two studies found that the relationship between lower IQ and PTSD remained even after controlling for level of combat exposure (Macklin et al, 1998;McNally & Shin, 1995). This relationship between lower IQ and PTSD was supported by subsequent studies with Veterans (Gilbertson, Gurvits, Lasko, Orr, & Pitman, 2001;Vasterling et al, 2002;Gale, Deary, Boyle, Barefoot, Mortensen, & Batty, 2008;Kremen, et al, 2007). Verbal IQ appears particularly sensitive to risk for PTSD (Vasterling, Brailey, Constans, Borges, & Sutker, 1997;;Gil et al, 1990).…”

Biomarkers for the Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Evaluation of Treatment Efficacy for Traumatic Brain Injury

“…PTSD and MTBI patients share a number of similarities in cognitive dysfunction including deficits in attention and difficulties with episodic and working memory. 104,105 These similarities in symptomatology make an accurate diagnosis between MTBI and PTSD difficult. A few MRI studies have reported that patients with PTSD have smaller hippocampal volumes, which could be used for the diagnosis of PTSD.…”

Posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity and control beliefs as the predictors of academic burnout amongst adolescents following the Wenchuan Earthquake

“…One characteristic of PTSD, a hyperarousal state, can affect students with severe emotional tension (Sullivan & Elbogen, 2014) and result in emotional exhaustion. In general, PTSD can give adolescents more cognitive, emotional, and behavioural problems (Husain, Allwood, & Bell, 2008; Vasterling et al, 2002), and all of these factors will increase the probability of adolescent academic burnout.…”