Posttraumatic stress disorder and cognitive function: findings from the mind your heart study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Gerontology

Background:

• Previous research indicates a correlation between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and diminished cognitive performance.
• The specific biological and behavioral mechanisms underlying this association remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between PTSD and cognitive function in a large cohort of adult outpatients.
• To identify potential biological and behavioral mediators contributing to cognitive deficits in individuals with PTSD.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 535 adult outpatients (under 65, no dementia/stroke) was recruited from Veterans Affairs medical centers.
• PTSD was assessed using the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS); cognitive function was evaluated through tests of processing speed, executive function, and verbal learning/recognition.
• Linear regression models were employed to analyze the association between PTSD and cognitive scores, and to examine mediating factors.

Main Results:

• Individuals with PTSD demonstrated significantly worse scores in processing speed, category fluency, verbal learning, and verbal recognition compared to those without PTSD.
• These cognitive impairments were substantially explained by factors including health behaviors, vascular risk factors, and depression.
• The observed associations remained significant after adjusting for demographic variables.

Conclusions:

• In veterans under 65 without neurological disease, PTSD is associated with significant deficits in cognitive domains like processing speed and executive function.
• These cognitive deficits are largely attributable to modifiable risk factors, suggesting potential avenues for intervention.
• Targeting these risk factors may help mitigate the long-term cognitive impact of PTSD and reduce dementia risk in aging veterans.