PTSD and Dementia Risk: A Potential Target for Early Intervention

[Nelson Vergel]

In a study consisting of more than 180,000 male veterans aged 55 and older, those diagnosed with PTSD had nearly 2-fold the risk of developing dementia syndromes such as Alzheimer disease, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy Body dementia, vascular dementia, and senile dementia compared to those without PTSD.

PTSD and Dementia Risk: A Potential Target for Early Intervention - Psychiatry Advisor

Researchers have found significant associations between posttraumatic stress disorder and the risk of all-cause dementia. We spoke to 4 different experts on the subject.

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In this cohort study of 12 270 trauma-exposed middle-aged women, individuals with high levels of PTSD symptoms experienced significantly worse cognitive decline in learning and working memory as well as psychomotor speed and attention compared with those with no PTSD symptoms. These findings were not fully explained by demographic characteristics, behavioral factors, or health conditions, including comorbid depression.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Accelerated Cognitive Decline in Middle-aged Women

This cohort study assesses the association between posttraumatic stress disorder and cognitive decline among middle-aged women.

jamanetwork.com

n conclusion, results from this study clarify the relationship between PTSD and cognitive function in a sample of Vietnam Veterans. Specifically, our results suggest that PTSD symptom severity has been associated with decline in cognitive function in two frequently used cognitive screeners. These results were significant even after adjusting for the influence of biomarkers implicated in AD pathology. Moreover, PTSD symptom severity showed the greatest relationship with declines in memory and attention. These results underscore the impact of chronic stress on cognition in older adults and the importance of managing symptoms of chronic stress among older adults. Moreover, this information can help identify individuals who may benefit most from interventions meant to prevent AD. Additionally, these research findings may be used to help monitor individuals at risk and help inform treatment plans.

Posttraumatic stress symptom severity predicts cognitive decline beyond the effect of Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers in Veterans - Translational Psychiatry

 

[Nelson Vergel]

"Patients also had “significantly reduced” functional impairment using the Sheehan Disability Scale, with a p-value of 0.0271. MAPS said there were no serious adverse events in either the placebo or on-treatment group.

In addition, 71.2% of participants who received MDMA-assisted therapy no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD at the end of the study, based on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale. That’s in comparison to 47.6% of participants on placebo.

And 46.2% of patients met the remission criteria in the MDMA-assisted group, compared to 21.4% in the placebo."

MAPS plans to seek approval of MDMA-assisted therapy this year after second positive PhIII trial

MAPS Public Benefit Corporation is touting another set of promising Phase III results investigating its MDMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with the trial hitting primary and secondary endpoints as the organization prepares for an NDA filing this year. The trial...

endpts.com