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Published on: October 10, 2012
Olfactory identification dysfunction, aggression and impulsivity in war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
J F Dileo1, W J Brewer, M Hopwood
1Department of Psychology, University of Melbourne, Australia.
Psychological Medicine
|October 2, 2007
Summary
War veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) show olfactory identification deficits (OIDs), which predict aggression and impulsivity. These findings suggest OIDs may help assess PTSD and guide interventions.
Area of Science:
- Neuropsychology
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Orbitoprefrontal cortex (OFC) dysfunction is linked to impulsive aggression.
- Impulsive aggression is observed in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate olfactory identification (OI) ability in war veterans with PTSD as an indicator of OFC dysfunction.
- To determine if OI ability can predict aggressive and impulsive behavior in veterans with PTSD.
Main Methods:
- 31 male out-patient war veterans with PTSD and 31 age/gender-matched controls participated.
- Assessments included PTSD, depression, anxiety, alcohol misuse, OI, neurocognition, aggression, and impulsivity measures.
Main Results:
- Veterans with PTSD demonstrated significant olfactory identification deficits (OIDs) compared to controls.
- OIDs persisted after controlling for IQ, anxiety, depression, and alcohol misuse.
- OIDs were significant predictors of aggression and impulsivity.
Conclusions:
- This study provides evidence for OFC dysfunction in PTSD pathophysiology.
- Olfactory identification deficits (OIDs) are reported as predictors of aggression and impulsivity in PTSD for the first time.
- OIDs may have diagnostic utility in PTSD assessment and aid in targeted interventions for aggression and impulsivity.
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