Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Simultaneous Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation during Virtual Reality Exposure
Published on: January 18, 2021
Does the evocation of traumatic memories confound subsequent working memory performance in posttraumatic stress
Lena Jelinek1, Steffen Moritz, Sarah Randjbar
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. l.jelinek@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Abstract:
The role of heightened arousal has been previously discussed as a contributor to neurocognitive impairment in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To investigate whether psychological effects (distraction, re-location of resources) elicited by the evocation of traumatic memories impact on subsequent cognitive performance in PTSD, two parallel versions of a working memory task were administered to 33 trauma-exposed participants (15 with and 18 without PTSD). Between first and second working memory assessment a trauma-related interview was conducted including the narration of the trauma. Levels of working memory impairment in PTSD patients remained unchanged. This study provides preliminary evidence that neurocognitive impairment is not secondary to psychological effects induced by the evocation of traumatic memories. Nevertheless, it is recommended that future PTSD research should devote more care to the order in which trauma-related and other dependent variables such as cognitive tests are presented to participants.
Related Concept Videos
Traumatic Memory
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...
Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative Fugue
A hallmark feature of dissociative disorders is the dissociative fugue...
Repressed Memory
Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
False Memories
One primary source of false memories is misattribution, where individuals incorrectly associate external information with...
