Neurologic soft signs in chronic posttraumatic stress disorder

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Subtle neurological impairments are observed in various mental health conditions.
• Chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with neurological abnormalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and evaluate the neurological status in male and female patients with chronic PTSD.
• To assess neurologic soft signs in individuals with PTSD resulting from diverse traumatic experiences, including childhood sexual abuse and combat exposure.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 21 women with a history of childhood sexual abuse (12 with PTSD, 9 without) and 38 male Vietnam War combat veterans (23 with PTSD, 15 without) were examined.
• Neurologic soft signs were assessed using a standardized examination and blind video rating. Psychometric assessments included measures for childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, alcoholism, combat exposure, and intelligence.

Main Results:

• Patients with PTSD, regardless of gender or trauma type, exhibited significantly higher scores for neurologic soft signs compared to controls (P<.001).
• These findings were independent of a history of alcoholism or head injury.
• PTSD subjects reported more neurodevelopmental problems, higher rates of childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, and lower IQs, all correlating with increased neurologic soft signs.

Conclusions:

• Chronic PTSD is associated with evident neurological compromise, observable through both patient history and physical examination.
• Neurological deficits are present in individuals with PTSD stemming from varied traumatic experiences in both childhood and adulthood.