Tanev KS, Pentel KZ, Kredlow MA, Charney ME
Brain Inj 2014;28(3):261-70
PMID: 24568300
Abstract
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To summarize the literature on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their co-morbidity, focusing on diagnosis, clinical symptoms and treatment issues relevant to the clinician.
RESEARCH DESIGN: Review of the literature.
METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Pubmed searches were performed using the terms post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, sleep, cognitive, depression, anxiety, treatment and combinations of these terms. Those articles relevant to the objective were included.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: This study presents pathophysiological, neuroimaging and clinical data on co-morbid PTSD and TBI. It reviews associated conditions, emphasizing the impact of cognitive and sleep problems. It summarizes the emerging literature on treatment effectiveness for co-morbid PTSD and TBI, including psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and cognitive rehabilitation.
CONCLUSIONS: Both PTSD and TBI commonly occur in the general population, both share some pathophysiological characteristics and both are associated with cognitive impairment and sleep disruption. PTSD and TBI present with a number of overlapping symptoms, which can lead to over-diagnosis or misdiagnosis. Both conditions are associated with co-morbidities important in diagnosis and treatment planning. More research is needed to elucidate what treatments are effective in PTSD and TBI co-morbidity and on factors predictive of treatment success.
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