Abstract
Objective
The purpose of this study was to examine neurobehavioral and neurocognitive functioning, and white matter integrity (using Diffusion Tensor Imaging [DTI]), in service members with versus without PTSD following mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI).
Method
Participants were 101 U.S. military service members who had sustained an uncomplicated MTBI (n = 80) or an injury without TBI (i.e., Injured Control [IC], n = 21) prospectively enrolled from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (Bethesda, Maryland). Participants completed a battery of neuropsychological tests, as well as DTI of the brain, on average 4-years post-injury. Measures of FA, MD, AD, and RD were generated for 18 regions of interest [ROIs]. Participants in the MTBI group were divided into two sub-groups based on DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for PTSD: MTBI/PTSD-Present (n = 22) and MTBI/PTSD-Absent (n = 58).
Results
The MTBI/PTSD-Present group reported a significantly higher number of postconcussion symptoms, had higher scores on the majority of MMPI-2-RF scales, and had worse scores on the vast majority of cognitive domains (i.e., Attention, Processing Speed, Immediate Memory, Delayed Memory, Executive Functioning, Visuospatial Ability) compared to both the MTBI/PTSD-Absent group (all p’s < .05) and IC/PTSD-Absent group (all p’s < .05). For the DTI variables, there were no significant group differences for all DTI measures in all regions of the brain, with the exception of a handful of measures (i.e., right cingulum–cingulate gyrus, and bilaterally in the corticospinal tract).
Conclusion
These results provide support for a (a) strong relationship between PTSD and poor neurobehavioral and neurocognitive outcome following MTBI, and (b) weak relationship between PTSD and white matter integrity following MTBI.
B-58 Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms Are Associated with Worse Neuropsychological Functioning, but not Diffusion Tensor Imaging Findings, in Military Service Members Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.
