.jpg)
"Band of Brothers" Veterans
A University of California- San Francisco study has shown a positive correlation between veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and dementia. The study, led by Professor of Psychiatry Dr. Kristine Yaffe, analyzed records of over 180,000 veterans (127,000 with no PTSD and 53,000 with PTSD) that had no record of dementia between 1997 and 2000. Veterans were all over 55 years old, with the average age of 68 and nearly all male.
When a follow-up study was done between 2001 and 2007, it was found that those who were diagnosed with PTSD developed dementia at a 10.6 percent rate over seven years. Only six percent of those without PTSD developed dementia in the same time frame. The study even accounted for veterans with traumatic brain injury, substance abuse or depression; the results were still the same. Robert Wilson, a leading neuropsychologist at the Rush University Medical Center, believes that PTSD and chronic anxiety symptoms do not cause dementia but make people more vulnerable to its development.
A similar study took place in 2000 that suggested a reverse effect: dementia may activate dormant PTSD. A study was conducted on World War II veterans who did not display PTSD symptoms until their cognitive functions began to deteriorate. Some veterans began having flashbacks. Some symptoms included veterans suddenly becoming preoccupied with wartime experiences, dysphoria, and violence.
RELATED ARTICLE:
Comments
The findings indicate that disorders such as PTSD, depression, and chronic anxiety may predispose the brain to vulnerability for dementia. Interestingly, PTSD has been related to dysfunction in the hippocampus, the critical region of disease for Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Paul Nussbaum
fitbrains.com
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!