The Separate and Cumulative Effects of TBI and PTSD on Cognitive Function and Emotional Control
Abstract
Combat veterans who have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can show impairments in behavioral and cognitive control and increases in impulsivity. In addition, many with mild TBI will also have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To improve diagnostic capabilities and better define treatment alternatives, it is important to determine the unique (and shared) contributions of each disorder to deficits in cognitive function and emotional control. Three specific control functions are being targeted: (1) resolving conflict between competing responses and competing aspects of a visual display; (2) monitoring for errors in performance and adjusting behavior accordingly; (3) multi-tasking, or the ability to maintain adequate performance in dual task situations. Converging evidence is obtained through the combined use of behavioral testing, electrophysiological recording (event-related potentials, ERPs), and structural imaging (diffusion tensor imaging, DTI). The project applies innovative methods by expanding the application of ERPs into the cognitive and behavioral domains most troublesome for patients with TBI and PTSD.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA566818
Entities
People
- Diane Swick
Organizations
- University of California