Executive Dysfunction and Self-Harm Behavior: An Examination of Veterans With TBI, PTSD, or Both
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Hospital, Neurology, Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Neurology, Psychiatry / Psychology, Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 45 |
| Updated: | 4/21/2016 |
| Start Date: | July 2010 |
| End Date: | January 2016 |
Executive Dysfunction and Self-Harm Behavior: An Examination of Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or Both
1. To determine whether tasks taken from the field of cognitive neuroscience can detect
and distinguish impairments in executive function above and beyond standard
neuropsychological measures in individuals with: a.) Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI),
b.) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), c.)Mild TBI+PTSD
2. To determine whether performance on these tasks is linked to pertinent psychiatric
outcomes (e.g. history of suicidality), which is associated with compromised executive
function and impulsivity.
3. To determine whether information regarding brain anatomy can provide additional
information above and beyond behavior performance in distinguishing between these two
groups.
and distinguish impairments in executive function above and beyond standard
neuropsychological measures in individuals with: a.) Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI),
b.) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), c.)Mild TBI+PTSD
2. To determine whether performance on these tasks is linked to pertinent psychiatric
outcomes (e.g. history of suicidality), which is associated with compromised executive
function and impulsivity.
3. To determine whether information regarding brain anatomy can provide additional
information above and beyond behavior performance in distinguishing between these two
groups.
Individuals who served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
are reporting histories of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and symptoms associated with post
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Standard neuropsychological measures are ineffective at
distinguishing between TBI and PTSD. This pilot project will examine whether methods from
cognitive neuroscience can determine the effects of TBI and/or PTSD on executive function.
Executive function includes many aspects of goal-oriented behavior, including the ability to
inhibit inappropriate behaviors and thoughts. In the proposed study, the investigators are
focusing on inhibitory processing, as it is a core component of executive function. Although
both TBI and PTSD compromise executive function and TBI often occurs in the context of a
traumatic event, very little research has attempted to disentangle the effects that each of
these conditions has on inhibitory control. In addition, the investigators are interested in
how disinhibition may be linked to impulsive real-world behaviors, such as suicidal
tendencies, which are observed at elevated rates in individuals with TBI as well as those
with PTSD. Knowing the ways in which inhibitory functions are compromised in these
individuals should aid in the development of appropriate treatments aimed at functional
improvement for those with mild TBI, PTSD, or mild TBI+PTSD.
are reporting histories of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and symptoms associated with post
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Standard neuropsychological measures are ineffective at
distinguishing between TBI and PTSD. This pilot project will examine whether methods from
cognitive neuroscience can determine the effects of TBI and/or PTSD on executive function.
Executive function includes many aspects of goal-oriented behavior, including the ability to
inhibit inappropriate behaviors and thoughts. In the proposed study, the investigators are
focusing on inhibitory processing, as it is a core component of executive function. Although
both TBI and PTSD compromise executive function and TBI often occurs in the context of a
traumatic event, very little research has attempted to disentangle the effects that each of
these conditions has on inhibitory control. In addition, the investigators are interested in
how disinhibition may be linked to impulsive real-world behaviors, such as suicidal
tendencies, which are observed at elevated rates in individuals with TBI as well as those
with PTSD. Knowing the ways in which inhibitory functions are compromised in these
individuals should aid in the development of appropriate treatments aimed at functional
improvement for those with mild TBI, PTSD, or mild TBI+PTSD.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Between the ages of 18-45 years old
- At least one OEF/OIF deployment
- Currently receiving or eligible to receive physical and/or mental health care through
the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of other significant neurological disease (other than mild TBI for the
appropriate groups) as assessed by interview and chart review
- History or diagnosis of lifetime moderate or severe TBI for the TBI groups, or any
history of TBI for the non-TBI groups, as assessed by interview and chart review
- History or diagnosis of non-active duty-related mild TBI or PTSD disorder as assessed
by interview and/or chart review
- Diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder as assessed by interview and/or
chart review
- Computerized Assessment of Response Bias (CARB) performance categorized as Very Poor
or Symptom Exaggerator
- Problematic drinking behavior that consistently exceeds recommended drinking limits
per day, e.g., Diagnosis of Alcohol Abuse Disorder or Alcohol Dependence Disorder per
the SCID; or five or more alcoholic drinks per day, four out of seven days per week
for the previous two weeks
- Use of illicit substance(s) more than five times in the two weeks before enrollment
- Inability to read the informed consent document or adequately respond to questions
regarding the informed consent procedure
- Contraindication to having an MRI
We found this trial at
1
site
Click here to add this to my saved trials
