Effects of traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder on development of Alzheimer's disease in Vietnam Veterans using the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative: Preliminary report

Several studies have investigated the risk of dementia in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using a varying methodology. Epidemiological studies have found an increased risk of dementia with PTSD in Vietnam veterans as well as the general population. Laboratory studies reported the accelerated formation of β-amyloid and tau, which represent the primary pathology of Alzheimer’s dementia in animal models of PTSD. These investigations were conducted against a background of cognitive impairment and atrophy of the hippocampus and certain cortical areas in patients with PTSD. Very few studies have investigated the pathological basis in humans for the reported association of PTSD with dementia. This important gap in the literature has recently been partly addressed by very few studies that estimated the burden of β-amyloid and tau. The PET studies did not show an association between PTSD and the specific pathology of Alzheimer’s disease or signs of neurodegenerative diseases underlying other dementia syndromes. Another study demonstrated decreased plasma β-amyloid load and increased plasma β-amyloid 42/40 ratio in PTSD without PET evaluation. While PTSD is associated with an increased risk of dementia syndrome in general, there is no convincing evidence that it causes or accelerates the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease, which causes the most common type of dementia. Factors that may account for the association between PTSD and a clinical diagnosis of dementia are discussed in this review.

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Incidence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Burned Service Members: Preliminary Report

Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery ◽

10.1097/ta.0b013e318160ba42 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 64 (Supplement) ◽

pp. S200-S206 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Kathryn M. Gaylord ◽

Douglas B. Cooper ◽

Janyna M. Mercado ◽

Jan E. Kennedy ◽

Linda H. Yoder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Preliminary Report ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Service Members

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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Exacerbates Emotional Complaints but not Cognitive Impairments in Individuals Suffering from Postconcussional Disorder after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Zeitschrift für Neuropsychologie ◽

10.1024/1016-264x/a000132 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 35-50 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sara C. Schroeder ◽

Ronald M. Ruff ◽

Lutz Jäncke

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Test Performance ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Neuropsychological Test ◽

Composite Scale

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on (a) neuropsychological test performance and (b) self-reported emotional complaints within individuals suffering from postconcussional disorder (PCD) after a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). A two-group comparative research design was employed. Two MTBI samples with and without PTSD were assessed with a neuropsychological test battery and the Ruff Neurobehavioral Inventory (RNBI). On the neurocognitive test performances no significant between group differences were found, but the MTBI group with PTSD endorsed a significantly greater number of emotional complaints, especially in the RNBI subscales of anxiety and depression. The patients with PTSD also endorsed a significantly greater number of premorbid sequelae in the RNBI emotional composite scale as well as the RNBI premorbid subscales of pain, anxiety and abuse. In sum, PTSD has a negative impact on emotional but not cognitive functioning within individuals suffering from PCD after a mild TBI.

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