CONTEXT: Cognitive deficits are associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but whether such deficits reflect sequelae or risk factors is not fully resolved. OBJECTIVE: To determine, in a representative sample, whether preexposure cognitive ability is associated with risk for PTSD, and whether that risk is genetically mediated. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The co-twin-control study involved 2386 male Vietnam-era twin veterans with a mean (SD) age of 41.9 (2.7) years, a population-based sample of men who were in military service during this era. Cognitive ability scores were obtained just before military induction at a mean (SD) age of 19.7 (1.5) years. Participants included only individuals who were exposed to potentially traumatic events and underwent preexposure cognitive testing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Armed Forces Qualification Test (of cognitive ability) percentile scores and PTSD diagnosed by means of structured interviews. RESULTS: We found a significant dose-response relationship between preexposure cognitive ability and risk for PTSD. After controlling for confounders, the highest cognitive ability quartile had a 48% lower risk than the lowest ability quartile (P<.001). Non-PTSD-concordant pairs had the highest scores; PTSD-concordant pairs had the lowest scores; and PTSD-discordant pairs had intermediate scores. Differences in Armed Forces Qualification Test scores within twin pairs were significant only in PTSD-discordant pairs (P=.04) and were accounted for specifically by the discordant dizygotic pairs (P=.002). Genetic influences on preexposure cognitive ability explained 5% of the variation in PTSD, but 100% of that relationship was explained by common genes. CONCLUSIONS: Preexposure cognitive ability is a risk or a protective factor for PTSD. The variance in PTSD explained by preexposure cognitive ability is accounted for entirely by common genetic factors. Lower cognitive ability may be a marker of less adaptive coping against adverse mental health consequences of exposure to potentially traumatic events. Further study of the potential mechanisms through which cognitive ability confers risk is needed.
CONTEXT: Cognitive deficits are associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but whether such deficits reflect sequelae or risk factors is not fully resolved. OBJECTIVE: To determine, in a representative sample, whether preexposure cognitive ability is associated with risk for PTSD, and whether that risk is genetically mediated. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The co-twin-control study involved 2386 male Vietnam-era twin veterans with a mean (SD) age of 41.9 (2.7) years, a population-based sample of men who were in military service during this era. Cognitive ability scores were obtained just before military induction at a mean (SD) age of 19.7 (1.5) years. Participants included only individuals who were exposed to potentially traumatic events and underwent preexposure cognitive testing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Armed Forces Qualification Test (of cognitive ability) percentile scores and PTSD diagnosed by means of structured interviews. RESULTS: We found a significant dose-response relationship between preexposure cognitive ability and risk for PTSD. After controlling for confounders, the highest cognitive ability quartile had a 48% lower risk than the lowest ability quartile (P<.001). Non-PTSD-concordant pairs had the highest scores; PTSD-concordant pairs had the lowest scores; and PTSD-discordant pairs had intermediate scores. Differences in Armed Forces Qualification Test scores within twin pairs were significant only in PTSD-discordant pairs (P=.04) and were accounted for specifically by the discordant dizygotic pairs (P=.002). Genetic influences on preexposure cognitive ability explained 5% of the variation in PTSD, but 100% of that relationship was explained by common genes. CONCLUSIONS: Preexposure cognitive ability is a risk or a protective factor for PTSD. The variance in PTSD explained by preexposure cognitive ability is accounted for entirely by common genetic factors. Lower cognitive ability may be a marker of less adaptive coping against adverse mental health consequences of exposure to potentially traumatic events. Further study of the potential mechanisms through which cognitive ability confers risk is needed.
Authors: Sara Dolan; Sarah Martindale; Jennifer Robinson; Nathan A Kimbrel; Eric C Meyer; Marc I Kruse; Sandra B Morissette; Keith A Young; Suzy Bird Gulliver Journal: Neuropsychol Rev Date: 2012-02-18 Impact factor: 7.444
Authors: Michael W Weiner; Karl E Friedl; Anthony Pacifico; Julie C Chapman; Michael S Jaffee; Deborah M Little; Geoffrey T Manley; Ann McKee; Ronald C Petersen; Roger K Pitman; Kristine Yaffe; Henrik Zetterberg; Robert Obana; Lisa J Bain; Maria C Carrillo Journal: Alzheimers Dement Date: 2013-07 Impact factor: 21.566
Authors: Eric A Dedert; Kimberly T Green; Patrick S Calhoun; Ruth Yoash-Gantz; Katherine H Taber; Marinell Miller Mumford; Larry A Tupler; Rajendra A Morey; Christine E Marx; Richard D Weiner; Jean C Beckham Journal: J Psychiatr Res Date: 2009-02-18 Impact factor: 4.791
Authors: Lars M Rimol; Matthew S Panizzon; Christine Fennema-Notestine; Lisa T Eyler; Bruce Fischl; Carol E Franz; Donald J Hagler; Michael J Lyons; Michael C Neale; Jennifer Pacheco; Michele E Perry; J Eric Schmitt; Michael D Grant; Larry J Seidman; Heidi W Thermenos; Ming T Tsuang; Seth A Eisen; William S Kremen; Anders M Dale Journal: Biol Psychiatry Date: 2009-12-06 Impact factor: 13.382
Authors: Karestan C Koenen; Terrie E Moffitt; Andrea L Roberts; Laurie T Martin; Laura Kubzansky; HonaLee Harrington; Richie Poulton; Avshalom Caspi Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 2008-12-01 Impact factor: 18.112