Post-traumatic stress disorder in Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

PurposeThis article aims to analyse the links between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and to assess the feasibility of treating PTSD in AD.MethodsWe review the literature around the links between PTSD and AD, consider this within several theoretical models. We propose the hypothesis that the treatment of PTSD in AD can improve episodic memory with some positive effects on AD. We present a pilot study in order to confirm the likely benefits of such an approach. There were 10 participants for the target group (AD and PTSD) and 10 participants in the control group (AD without PTSD). During two sessions separated by an interval of six months, different components of episodic memory were assessed with specific tests. AD evolution was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). For the target group, PTSD presence and quality of life were also assessed, and treatment for PTSD was undertaken between the two sessions.Results/FindingsThe analysis of scientific literature highlighted some clinical, cognitive and neurobiological similarities between AD and PTSD. The key-role of episodic memory is evident. The results of the pilot study suggest that PTSD treatment in AD participants improves all assessed indicators: word recall, word recognition, immediate recall, delayed recall, personal recent events recall, personal lifetime events recall, global cognitive abilities (MMSE) and quality of life.Discussion/conclusionThere are strong theoretical and practical reasons to search for an effective intervention for PTSD in AD patients. These preliminary results need to be confirmed but already suggest a promising avenue for therapeutic care of AD patients with trauma due to unknown or unsolved factors.