Learning and memory in Holocaust survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder.
BACKGROUND
Impairments in explicit memory have been observed in Holocaust survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder.


METHODS
To evaluate which memory components are preferentially affected, the California Verbal Learning Test was administered to Holocaust survivors with (n = 36) and without (n = 26) posttraumatic stress disorder, and subjects not exposed to the Holocaust (n = 40).


RESULTS
Posttraumatic stress disorder subjects showed impairments in learning and short-term and delayed retention compared to nonexposed subjects; survivors without posttraumatic stress disorder did not. Impairments in learning, but not retention, were retained after controlling for intelligence quotient. Older age was associated with poorer learning and memory performance in the posttraumatic stress disorder group only.


CONCLUSIONS
The most robust impairment observed in posttraumatic stress disorder was in verbal learning, which may be a risk factor for or consequence of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder. The negative association between performance and age may reflect accelerated cognitive decline in posttraumatic stress disorder.
Yehuda
Rachel
R
Traumatic Stress Studies Program, Psychiatry Department, Bronx Veterans Affairs, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA.
Golier
Julia A
JA
Halligan
Sarah L
SL
Harvey
Philip D
PD
D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D005260:Female; D017767:Holocaust; D006801:Humans; D007585:Jews; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017741:Survivors