Comparison of Memory Function and MMPI-2 Profile between Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Adjustment Disorder after a Traffic Accident

OBJECTIVE: Differential diagnosis between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and adjustment disorder (AD) is rather difficult, but very important to the assignment of appropriate treatment and prognosis. This study investigated methods to differentiate PTSD and AD. METHODS: Twenty-five people with PTSD and 24 people with AD were recruited. Memory tests, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2 (MMPI-2), and Beck's Depression Inventory were administered. RESULTS: There were significant decreases in immediate verbal recall and delayed verbal recognition in the participants with PTSD. The reduced memory functions of participants with PTSD were significantly influenced by depressive symptoms. Hypochondriasis, hysteria, psychopathic deviate, paranoia, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder scale of MMPI-2 classified significantly PTSD and AD group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that verbal memory assessments and the MMPI-2 could be useful for discriminating between PTSD and AD.

Protective Effects of Curcumin and Sertraline on the Behavioral Changes in Chronic Variable Stress-Induced Rats

Behavioral characteristics of the animal models and humans are impaired in chronic stress. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the protective effects of sertraline and curcumin on stress-induced learning and memory impairment, anxiety and anhedonia in rats. Male rats were divided into seven groups: stress+water, stress+olive oil, stress+curcumin (100 mg/kg/day), stress+sertraline (10 mg/kg/day), curcumin, sertraline, and control groups. The rats were exposed to chronic variable stress for 56 days. At the end of 40 days and while the previous treatments were continued, the rats were tested in the eight radial maze, elevated plus maze, and sucrose consumption for learning and memory, anxiety, and anhedonia, respectively. In comparison to the non-stressed group, stress+water and stress+olive oil groups revealed a significantly lower percent of correct choices and higher reference and working memory errors during learning and retention phases (p<0.001). In addition these stress groups showed a significant lower percent of the open arms time and open arms entries in the elevated plus maze and consuming less sucrose solution. In addition, the stress+curcumin and stress+sertraline groups showed a better performance in the evaluated parameters of the radial arm maze, elevated plus maze, and sucrose consumption tests. It appears that curcumin and sertraline have the similar effectiveness on behavioral changes in chronic variable stress-induced rats.

Autobiographical memory deficits in acute transient psychosis after remission

Background : In our clinical practice, in patients who went into clinical remission from their psychotic episodes, we found variability in recall pattern of events and experiences occurring during psychotic states. Aims: The present study aimed to find out the deficits in autobiographical memory regarding the events and experiences which occurred during psychotic states in clinically remitted acute and transient psychotic disorder (ATPD) patients. Method: Consecutive patients (20), who went into clinical remission within a period of three months of onset of their first ATPD episodes, along with their informants (20), who were selected as per specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, were interviewed within a period of two months of clinical remission of their psychotic episodes. The interviews were based on a list which included items regarding different events and experiences restricted to the period of patients' illness and their recall abilities were compared. Results: Catatonic features, features suggestive of dis-inhibition, impairment of personal care, manic features and biological function impairment were the items which patients found difficult to recall. Conclusion: The study showed that the patients had autobiographical memory deficits regarding their catatonic features, dis-inhibitions, personal care and biological function impairments and manic symptoms after their clinical remission, which has clinical and management implications. However the study was limited by the small sample size and naturalistic design. Key message - Patients found it difficult to remember catatonic features, dis-inhibitions, manic symptoms, personal care and biological function impairments which occurred during their psychotic episodes after clinical remission of their acute transient psychotic episodes.

Efficacy of Rehabilitation on Memory Disorders / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To investigate the effect of rehabilitation on memory deficits after acquired brain injury, to compare different training models of memory rehabilitation and to analyze the possible factors affecting memory rehabilitation. Methods 144 patients with acquired brain injury following memory deficits were randomly assigned to computer-assisted training group, face-to-face training group and control group. Both training groups were given memory-based cognitive training program once a day which sustained 30 minutes for 6 or 12 weeks. The instantaneous memory, short-term memory and long-term memory were evaluated and compared before and after training. The effect of gender, age, education, course, site of injury and coma time on training efficacy were analyszed as well. Results 6 weeks and 12 weeks at training, both computer-assisted and face-to-face training groups showed a significant improvement in memory abilities when compared to controls (P<0.01), with the former making more progress (P<0.01). Negative correlation was found between age and memory performance. Conclusion Effectiveness of memory rehabilitation is proven. 12 weeks training can significantly improve memory. Cognitive training using professional equipment is significantly more effective than the face-to-face training and should be recommended.