Psychological and Neurobiological Consequences of the Gulf War Experience.
Abstract
Over the past four years we followed Desert Storm veterans from two Connecticut National Guard units. Studies focused on the evolution of trauma-related symptoms and the longitudinal consistency of memory for traumatic events. Results indicate an increase in PTSD symptoms among Desert Storm veterans over the first two post-war years. Level of combat exposure was significantly associated with Mississippi score at two years but not at one and six months. There were many instances of inconsistent recall for highly traumatic events. The same methodology will be continued for the eighth post-war year. The second part of the grant is based on findings in Vietnam War veterans who underwent memory testing and MR!. Veterans with PTSD had an 8% decrease in right hippocampal volume relative to healthy subjects. Deficits in short-term verbal memory were associated with decreased right hippocampal volume in PTSD patients. Data suggest broad-based memory problems associated with decreased hippocampal volume. Twenty Desert Storm veterans with PTSD will be compared to 20 Desert Storm Veterans without PTSD and 20 non-deployed National Guard Reservists. Results of this study would help determine whether these abnormalities are present across combat populations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA372022
Entities
People
- Steven Southwick