Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Paper Summary:

This paper presents an analysis of the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on learning and memory. It compares and contrasts two articles related to PTSD - "Learning and Memory in Veterans with PTSD Learning and Memory in Aging Combat Veterans with PTSD" by Yehuda et al and "Cortisol, Learning, Memory, and Attention in Relation to Smaller Hippocampal Volume in Police Officers with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder" by Lindauer et al.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Article Summary
Comparison
Merits
Overall Assessment

From the Paper:

"When comparing the two articles it is important to remember that each was testing a different hypothesis and that the general age ranges of the first was younger than the general age range of the second article in question."
"The first article did in fact display a measurable correlation between a reduced hippocampal and memory and learning function. While it could not prove causation the study did create a bridge linking the two together. The second study seemed to agree as it concluded the aging veterans had definite learning issues in the area of long term free recall tasks and the diagnosis of PTSD(Taylor, et al, 2005).
However, another important comparison of the two points to the fact that both studies suggest that perhaps it is not PTSD causing the issues, but other organic events. PTSD may be reacting to the natural aging process of the brain in a different way than non PTSD individuals react to those same natural organic events that go with aging.
Because the first examination showed a correlation between a reduced hippocampi and memory, it extended the results of the second article study that showed aging PTSD veterans have a measurable issue with certain memory tasks as compared to their non PTSD peers(Taylor, et al, 2005)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• RACHEL YEHUDA,1 JULIA A. GOLIER,1 LISA TISCHLER,1 KARINA STAVITSKY,1 AND PHILIP D. HARVEY1 Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology 274Taylor & Francis Taylor and Francis 325 Chestnut StreetPhiladelphiaPA191061380-3395 NCEN Taylor & Francis Ltd. 36370 10.1080/138033990520223 2005 126 R. Yehuda et al. Learning and Memory in Veterans with PTSD Learning and Memory in Aging Combat Veterans with PTSD
• Ramon J.L. Lindauer, Miranda Olff, Els P.M. van Meijel, Ingrid V.E. Carlier, and Berthold P.R. Gersons (1999) Cortisol, Learning, Memory, and Attention in Relation to Smaller Hippocampal Volume in Police Officers with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Roth, Claudia (1995) Posttraumatic stress disorder in peers of adolescent suicide victims: predisposing factors and phenomenology. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

More papers on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder:

• Analytical Essay # 143469 : "Suicide and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in the Military"
• Essay # 88145 : "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder"
• Essay # 32137 : "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder"
• Descriptive Essay # 113588 : "Post-traumatic Stress Disorder"

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