Objective Memory Impairment in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: a Systematic Review and Multilevel Meta-Analysis of...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is increasingly recognized for cognitive dysfunction, particularly memory impairment, beyond fear and emotional dysregulation.
• Previous meta-analyses faced limitations due to heterogeneous controls and outcome pooling.
• Objective cognitive deficits are a core, enduring feature of PTSD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze objective memory performance in adults with PTSD compared to trauma-exposed adults without PTSD.
• To determine if memory impairments are a specific feature of PTSD, independent of trauma exposure.
• To synthesize evidence on verbal episodic memory and working memory deficits in PTSD.

Main Methods:

• Systematic search of major databases (PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science) up to December 2025.
• Inclusion of studies with trauma-exposed adults diagnosed with PTSD and a trauma-exposed non-PTSD control group.
• Meta-analysis of objective neuropsychological memory measures using multilevel random-effects models.

Main Results:

• Ninety studies were reviewed; 88 contributed to the meta-analysis.
• Individuals with PTSD showed significantly poorer verbal episodic memory and working memory performance.
• These memory impairments were consistent across various trauma types and assessment tools.

Conclusions:

• Adults with PTSD exhibit reliable, clinically meaningful memory impairments beyond trauma exposure.
• Findings support PTSD conceptualization involving maladaptive memory processing.
• Highlights the need for cognitive assessment and intervention in PTSD care.