Open AccessTraumatic exposures, posttraumatic stress disorder, and cognitive functioning in World Trade Center responders
Author(s) -
Clouston Sean A.P.,
Pietrzak Robert H.,
Kotov Roman,
Richards Marcus,
Spiro Avron,
Scott Stacey B.,
Deri Yael,
Mukherjee Soumyadeep,
Stewart Candace,
Bromet Evelyn J.,
Luft Benjamin J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia: translational research and clinical interventions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.49
H-Index - 30
ISSN - 2352-8737
DOI - 10.1016/j.trci.2017.09.001
Subject(s) - cognition , neuropsychology , clinical psychology , posttraumatic stress , psychology , psychiatry , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , poison control , cognitive test , cognitive skill , normative , medicine , medical emergency , philosophy , epistemology
Abstract Introduction This study examined whether World Trade Center (WTC)‐related exposures and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were associated with cognitive function and whether WTC responders' cognition differed from normative data. Methods A computer‐assisted neuropsychological battery was administered to a prospective cohort study of 1193 WTC responders with no history of stroke or WTC‐related head injuries. Data were linked to information collected prospectively since 2002. Sample averages were compared to published norms. Results Approximately 14.8% of sampled responders had cognitive dysfunction. WTC responders had worse cognitive function compared to normative data. PTSD symptom severity and working >5 weeks on‐site was associated with cognitive dysfunction. Discussion Results from this sample highlight the potential for WTC responders to be experiencing an increased burden of cognitive dysfunction and linked lowered cognitive functioning to physical exposures and to PTSD. Future research is warranted to understand the extent to which cognitive dysfunction is evident in neural dysfunction.