Absence of selected neurological soft signs in Vietnam nurse veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
This study examined eight neurological soft signs (NSSs), which had previously proved successful in discriminating medication-free post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from non-PTSD combat veterans and sexually abused women, in 82 unmedicated female nurse Vietnam veterans, 32 with and 50 without PTSD. The increased NSSs observed in the previously studied PTSD samples were not found in the nurses with PTSD. The results fail to support the hypothesis that the stress of a traumatic event and/or resultant PTSD damages the nervous system.
Gurvits
Tamara V
TV
VA Medical Center, VA Research Service, 228 Maple Street, Manchester, NH 03103, USA. tamara@metro2000.net
Carson
Margaret A
MA
Metzger
Linda
L
Croteau
Heike B
HB
Lasko
Natasha B
NB
Orr
Scott P
SP
Pitman
Roger K
RK
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008888:Military Nursing; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D014744:Vietnam