Objective Neuropsychological Deficits in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: What Remains Beyond Symptom Similarity?

Behavioral Sciences

Hélène Pineau²  André Marchand²  Stéphane Guay¹ 

[1] Institut Universitaire en Santé Mental de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, H1N 3M5, Canada; E-Mail:;Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Quebec, H2X 3P2, Canada; E-Mail:

关键词: neuropsychological deficits;    PTSD;    mTBI;    comorbidity;    symptom similarity;   

DOI  :  10.3390/bs4040471

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

This exploratory study intends to characterize the neuropsychological profile in persons with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) using objective measures of cognitive performance. A neuropsychological battery of tests for attention, memory and executive functions was administered to four groups: PTSD (n = 25), mTBI (n = 19), subjects with two formal diagnoses: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI/PTSD) (n = 6) and controls (n = 25). Confounding variables, such as medical, developmental or neurological antecedents, were controlled and measures of co-morbid conditions, such as depression and anxiety, were considered. The PTSD and mTBI/PTSD groups reported more anxiety and depressive symptoms. They also presented more cognitive deficits than the mTBI group. Since the two PTSD groups differ in severity of PTSD symptoms but not in severity of depression and anxiety symptoms, the PTSD condition could not be considered as the unique factor affecting the results. The findings underline the importance of controlling for confounding medical and psychological co-morbidities in the evaluation and treatment of PTSD populations, especially when a concomitant mTBI is also suspected.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.