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Neurocognitive and Information Processing Biases in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

  • Disaster Psychiatry: Trauma, PTSD, and Related Disorders (MJ Friedman, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

We review recent research addressing neurocognitive and information processing abnormalities in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including studies informing direction of causality. We additionally consider neurocognition in the context of co-morbid mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychosocial treatments for PTSD.

Recent Findings

Learning, memory, attention, inhibitory functions, and information processing biases frequently accompany PTSD, reflecting potential bi-directional relationships with PTSD. Although mild TBI is associated with increased risk of PTSD development and maintenance, TBI does not typically contribute significantly to sustained neurocognitive deficits in individuals with PTSD. Whereas better learning and memory is associated with mildly enhanced response to psychosocial interventions, such interventions may also improve neurocognitive performance and can be effectively provided to patients with TBI history.

Summary

PTSD is associated with cognitive abnormalities in processing both emotionally relevant and emotionally neutral information and, although mild, may underlie some PTSD symptom expression.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology (116B), National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 S. Huntington Ave., Boston, MA, 02130, USA

    Jennifer J. Vasterling & Kimberly A. Arditte Hall

  2. Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Jennifer J. Vasterling & Kimberly A. Arditte Hall

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Disaster Psychiatry: Trauma, PTSD, and Related Disorders

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Vasterling, J.J., Arditte Hall, K.A. Neurocognitive and Information Processing Biases in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Curr Psychiatry Rep 20, 99 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-018-0964-1

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