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Learning and memory in aging combat veterans with PTSD.

Rachel Yehuda¹, Julia A Golier, Lisa Tischler

¹Traumatic Stress Studies Program, Psychiatry Department, Mount Sinai School of MedicineNew York, NY, USA. Rachel.Yehuda@med.va.gov

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology

|June 21, 2005

Summary

Aging combat veterans with PTSD exhibit memory impairments, particularly in long-delay free recall. Rapid forgetting may be specific to this group, influenced by combat exposure and aging.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Psychology
Gerontology

Background:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent in combat veterans.
Aging can independently affect cognitive functions, including memory.
Understanding cognitive changes in aging veterans with PTSD is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate learning and memory performance in aging combat veterans.
To compare cognitive function between veterans with PTSD, without PTSD, and non-combat exposed individuals.
To identify specific memory deficits associated with PTSD in this population.

Main Methods:

Administration of the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT).
Comparison of cognitive performance across three groups: PTSD+, PTSD-, and non-combat exposed veterans.

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Statistical correction for WAIS subscale scores (Vocabulary, Block Design).

Main Results:

PTSD+ veterans showed significant memory impairments compared to non-exposed veterans.
Long-delay free recall was the primary discriminator between PTSD+ and PTSD- groups.
Proactive interference and recognition hits differentiated combat from non-combat veterans, suggesting trauma exposure effects.

Conclusions:

Long-delay free recall deficits and rapid forgetting are key cognitive alterations in aging combat veterans with PTSD.
These memory impairments are linked to PTSD, combat exposure, and the aging process.
Findings suggest potential similarities with memory issues seen in Holocaust survivors, with rapid forgetting being a distinct feature in this veteran cohort.