Inhibitory control impairments underlie associative memory deficits in posttraumatic stress disorder
Jonathan Guez1,2, Rotem Saar-Ashkenazy3, Eldad Keha1
1Department of Psychology, Achva Academic College, Beer-Tuvia Regional Council, Israel.
Plos One
|August 14, 2025
Summary
This study found that posttraumatic-stress disorder (PTSD) patients have impaired associative memory, linked to difficulties with inhibitory control. These findings highlight a connection between memory deficits and executive function challenges in PTSD.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Posttraumatic-stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with cognitive dysfunction, including memory impairments.
- Patients with PTSD often exhibit difficulties with associative memory, potentially due to over-generalization of trauma-related cues.
- Understanding the link between memory and executive functions is crucial for PTSD treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between inhibitory control deficits and associative memory impairments in individuals with PTSD.
- To determine if impaired inhibitory control contributes to associative memory deficits in PTSD patients.
Main Methods:
- The study included 20 participants with PTSD and 22 healthy controls.
- Inhibitory control was assessed using the anti-saccade task.
- Associative memory was evaluated using a words/pictures item-association paradigm.
Main Results:
- PTSD patients demonstrated lower performance on both inhibitory control and associative memory tasks compared to controls.
- A significant positive correlation was found between pictorial associative memory performance and inhibitory control in the PTSD group.
- Increased false-alarm rates in associative memory tasks were linked to poorer inhibitory performance in PTSD.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the hypothesis that inhibitory control impairments are associated with associative memory deficits in PTSD.
- These results suggest that executive function deficits, specifically inhibitory control, play a role in the memory problems experienced by individuals with PTSD.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
114
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
114
01:20Traumatic Memory
178
Emotionally traumatic events often lead to memories that are exceptionally vivid and enduring, sometimes persisting with remarkable clarity throughout an individual's life. A classic example of this phenomenon is a person who survives a car accident. Even years later, they may recall every detail of the event with startling accuracy — the screeching of the tires, the jarring impact, and the acrid smell of burning rubber. Such vividness contrasts sharply with how an individual...
178
01:14Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
575
The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the...
575
01:27Dissociative Disorders
182
Dissociative disorders represent complex psychological conditions characterized by disruptions in consciousness, memory, identity, or perception. These disruptions cause individuals to experience a disconnection from their thoughts, emotions, and memories. The phenomenon is not merely an occasional lapse in attention but a profound alteration in mental functioning that can severely impact daily life.
Dissociative Fugue
A hallmark feature of dissociative disorders is the dissociative fugue...
Dissociative Fugue
A hallmark feature of dissociative disorders is the dissociative fugue...
182
01:30Dissociative Identity Disorder
203
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously termed multiple personality disorder, is a complex psychological condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states. Each identity exhibits unique patterns of behavior, voice, and mannerisms and may possess separate memories and emotional responses. The alternating control between identities can result in memory gaps and challenges in recalling daily activities, often exacerbating the individual's...
203
01:16Role of Amygdala in Memory
397
The amygdala is a small, almond-shaped structure responsible for processing and storing memories, particularly those linked to emotions like fear and stress. It plays an essential role in the brain's response to emotionally significant events and often enhances memory formation by triggering stress hormone release. The amygdala is vital for encoding and retrieving memories associated with fear or stress, a process that is adaptive by helping organisms avoid dangerous situations.
One of the...
One of the...
397