The Separate and Cumulative Effects of TBI and PTSD on Cognitive Function and Emotional Control
Abstract
In an emotional Stroop task, combat-related words were more distracting for Veterans with PTSD than for those without. We believe the test is a suitable measure of emotional reactivity and attentional bias that can be obtained before and after behavioral and pharmacological therapies. In addition, the patients showed a substantial deficit in motor response inhibition. Greater PTSD and depressive symptoms were both associated with worse performance on the motor task. The co-occurrence of mTBI and PTSD did not worsen the emotional and cognitive control difficulties associated with PTSD alone. Increased levels of impulsivity and a decreased ability to filter out distracting and emotionally intrusive information can negatively impact social and occupational functioning. In the future, computerized training interventions that target emotional and cognitive control skills may assist these OEF/OIF veterans in returning to their previous levels of productivity. The carefully-designed computerized tasks implemented in this project accurately assess the cognitive and affective sequelae of mTBI and PTSD.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA536744
Entities
People
- Diane Swick
Organizations
- Veterans Administration Medical Center