Attentional and executive functions are differentially affected by post-traumatic stress disorder and trauma

Flaks, Mariana K.; Malta, Stella Maria; Almeida, Priscila Previato; Bueno, Otávio; Pupo, Mariana; Andreoli, Sérgio Baxter; Mello, Marcelo Feijó de; Lacerda, Acioly L.T.; Mari, Jair J.; Bressan, Rodrigo A.

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2013.10.009

Cited by 57 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Our analyses did not find a significant effect of medication exclusion criteria on neurocognitive performance in PTSD, although this variable was coded dichotomously to simply reflect whether studies excluded any psychoactive medication use for at least two weeks prior to the assessment, which does not reflect chronicity of use or the variability in classes of medications (e.g., exclusion of benzodiazepines versus antidepressants). Notably, several studies that were the most conservative regarding psychotropic medication exclusion nonetheless showed neuropsychological performance deficits (Flaks et al, 2014; Geuze et al, 2009; Gilbertson et al, 2001; Golier et al, 1997; Lindauer et al, 2006; Yehuda et al, 1995), although residual performance deficits that remain even after a medication washout period cannot be excluded. In contrast, evidence from two longitudinal studies has shown that treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) paroxetine not only reduces PTSD symptom severity but also increases hippocampal volumes and improves verbal memory (Fani et al, 2009; Vermetten, Vythilingam, Southwick, Charney, & Bremner, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A quantitative meta-analysis of neurocognitive functioning in posttraumatic stress disorder.

Scott¹,

Matt²,

Wrocklage³

et al. 2015

Psychological Bulletin

436

363

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Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with regional alterations in brain structure and function that are hypothesized to contribute to symptoms and cognitive deficits associated with the disorder. We present here the first systematic meta-analysis of neurocognitive outcomes associated with PTSD to examine a broad range of cognitive domains and describe the profile of cognitive deficits, as well as modifying clinical factors and study characteristics. This report is based on data from 60 studies totaling 4,108 participants, including 1,779with PTSD, 1,446 trauma-exposed comparison participants, and 895 healthy comparison participants without trauma exposure. Effect size estimates were calculated using a mixed-effects meta-analysis for nine cognitive domains: attention/working memory, executive functions, verbal learning, verbal memory, visual learning, visual memory, language, speed of information processing, and visuospatial abilities. Analyses revealed significant neurocognitive effects associated with PTSD, although these ranged widely in magnitude, with the largest effect sizes in verbal learning (d =−.62), speed of information processing (d =−.59), attention/working memory (d =−.50), and verbal memory (d =−.46). Effect size estimates were significantly larger in treatment-seeking than community samples and in studies that did not exclude participants with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and effect sizes were affected by between-group IQ discrepancies and the gender composition of the PTSD groups. Our findings indicate that consideration of neuropsychological functioning in attention, verbal memory, and speed of information processing may have important implications for the effective clinical management of persons with PTSD. Results are further discussed in the context of cognitive models of PTSD and the limitations of this literature.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A quantitative meta-analysis of neurocognitive functioning in posttraumatic stress disorder.

Scott¹,

Matt²,

Wrocklage³

et al. 2015

Psychological Bulletin

436

363

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…96 The mechanisms driving these phenomena have remained unclear, but it is worth noting that they have also been associated with concussion, 29 hypercortisolism, 71 chronic stress, 7 and PTSD, 39 offering some possible insights into convergence across these related conditions and potential mechanistic pathways. Fear (of movement, pain, or the unknown) rounds out the reactions in this primary sequela stage.…”

Section: Integration Of Recent and Emerging Evidencementioning

confidence: 99%

An Integrated Model of Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorder

Walton

Elliott²

2017

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther

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“…Some studies have focused on the role of frontal lobe, an area of the brain that controls the executive functions, whose impairment leads to executive dysfunction [7]. Among the cognitive impairments related to PTSD, executive dysfunction is particularly associated with negative effects on work, daily life activities, social interactions, and also some symptoms of PTSD, such as avoidance and re-experiencing the trauma [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Executive Function and Attention Deficits in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Study on Iranian War Veterans

Samadi

Kashani

Kami

et al. 2018

IRJ

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Objectives:Patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) show poor cognitive performance during neuropsychological tests. Literature is scarce regarding veterans suffering with chronic PTSD. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to compare the cognitive deficiencies of veterans with chronic PTSD with those of healthy participants. Methods:A total of 51 hospitalized veterans and 45 healthy individuals were selected using a purposeful sampling method. Both groups performed a simple Stroop Test and the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and completed the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Results:The results of independent samples t-test showed a significant difference in cognitive impairment between the veterans with PTSD and healthy subjects, and the veterans had lower performances on most aspects of the tests than that of the control group.Discussion: According to our results, veterans with chronic PTSD showed lower cognitive performance than that of healthy individuals. This suggests that examination of the cognitive functioning of patients with PTSD can be useful in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of PTSD.

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Attentional and executive functions are differentially affected by post-traumatic stress disorder and trauma

Cited by 57 publications

References 51 publications

A quantitative meta-analysis of neurocognitive functioning in posttraumatic stress disorder.

A quantitative meta-analysis of neurocognitive functioning in posttraumatic stress disorder.

An Integrated Model of Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorder

Executive Function and Attention Deficits in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Study on Iranian War Veterans

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