Questionable utility of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in detecting cognitive impairment in individuals with comorbid PTSD and SUD

Clinical Characteristics and Health Service Use of Veterans With Comorbid Bipolar Disorder and PTSD

Perceptions of Women With Comorbid PTSD and Substance Use Disorder on Mechanisms Underlying Mindfulness-Based Interventions

We aimed to examine the discriminant validity of a brief self-administered cognitive screening test, the Test Your Memory (TYM) and a brief neuropsychological test, the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), supplemented with executive and language tests (Color Trail Test [CTT] and modified Boston Naming Test [mBNT], respectively), in detecting cognitive impairment (CI) in a one-stop memory clinic in Singapore. Ninety patients ≥50 years old with a diagnosis of no cognitive impairment, mild cognitive impairment, and mild Alzheimer disease were recruited from memory clinic. They received the TYM, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), RBANS, CTT, mBNT, and a gold-standard formal neuropsychological test battery. The TYM had a significantly larger area under the curve (AUC) than MMSE (0.96 vs 0.88, P = .03) and was equivalent to MoCA in detecting CI (0.96 vs 0.95, P = .80). At the optimal cutoff points, the TYM (<38) was significantly more sensitive than the MMSE (<24) and MoCA (<20; P < .001). The RBANS had an AUC equivalent to the RBANS supplemented with CTT and mBNT (0.92 vs 0.86, P = .22) in detecting CI. The RBANS supplemented with CTT and mBNT was more sensitive than RBANS alone in detecting CI (sensitivity: 0.98 vs 0.93, P = .016) among patients screened negative using TYM. The self-administered TYM is superior to MMSE and equivalent to MoCA in detecting CI and could be implemented routinely. The RBANS supplemented with CTT and mBNT is more sensitive in detecting CI than RBANS alone therefore could be used for diagnostic purposes.

The objective of this study was to determine the test–retest reliability; construct and criterion validity; and test operating characteristics of a newly developed cognitive impairment risk factor screening instrument, the Alcohol and Drug Cognitive Enhancement (ACE) Screening Tool. Participants in the validation study were 129 adults with substance use disorder (SUD) enrolled in residential SUD treatment services and 209 normal controls. Test and retest data were available for 36 participants with SUD and 40 normal control individuals on the ACE Screening Tool. Test–retest reliability was excellent (ICC = 0.97). The ACE Screening Tool was significantly correlated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning—Adult Version (BRIEF-A), Test of Premorbid Functioning (TOPF) and Five Point Test, establishing construct validity. Criterion validity was established using a ternary severity variable constructed using results obtained on the MoCA and BRIEF-A. Test operating characteristics analysis showed 93% sensitivity, 46% specificity, 33% positive predictive power, and 96% negative predictive power using a cut-score of >3. Those high levels of sensitivity and negative predictive power indicated that the tool would likely detect cognitive impairment when present and should therefore be considered suitable as an initial screening tool for cognitive impairment in individuals attending SUD services.

Hurt people who hurt people: Violence amongst individuals with comorbid substance use disorder and post traumatic stress disorder

Although exposure-based therapy is a well-established, effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), some practitioners report reluctance to implement it due to concerns that it may exacerbate symptoms of PTSD and commonly comorbid disorders, such as substance use disorders (SUD). This study compared the exacerbation of psychological symptoms among participants with comorbid PTSD and SUD who received either SUD treatment alone or SUD treatment integrated with exposure therapy for PTSD. Participants (N = 71) were treatment-seeking, military Veterans with comorbid PTSD and SUD who were randomized to 12 individual sessions of either (1) an integrated, exposure-based treatment (Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders using Prolonged Exposure; COPE); or (2) a non-exposure-based, SUD-only treatment (Relapse Prevention; RP). We examined between-group differences in the frequency of statistically reliable exacerbations of PTSD, SUD and depression symptoms experienced during treatment. At each of the 12 sessions, symptom exacerbation was minimal and generally equally likely in either treatment group. However, an analysis of treatment completers suggests that RP participants experienced slightly more exacerbations of PTSD symptoms during the course of treatment. This study is the first to investigate symptom exacerbation throughout trauma-focused exposure therapy for individuals with comorbid PTSD and SUD. Results add to a growing literature which suggests that trauma-focused, exposure-based therapy does not increase the risk of symptom exacerbation relative to non-exposure-based therapy.

Childhood complex trauma (CCT) prevalence among individuals with comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) is unknown. We conducted a meta-analysis to compare CCT prevalence in samples of PTSD alone, SUD alone and comorbid PTSD+SUD. A systematic review of PTSD, CCT and SUD literature was conducted using online databases. Binary outcome meta-analytic models were fitted comparing CCT prevalence in comorbid PTSD + SUD to PTSD and SUD only. Seven studies were included, and estimates for CCT prevalence were higher, on average, among individuals with comorbid PTSD+SUD (35%-78%) compared to PTSD alone (4%-70%) and SUD alone (2%-65%). A meta-analysis of four studies indicated individuals with comorbid PTSD+SUD were 18% more likely to have experienced CCT compared to individuals with PTSD only (RR = 1.18, 95% CI [1.13, 1.25]) and 24% more likely compared to individuals with SUD only (RR = 1.24, 95% CI [1.20, 1.29]). Further research is needed to establish a more accurate prevalence rate for individuals with comorbid PTSD and SUD. Evidence of greater CCT prevalence will inform research study design and clinical targets during treatment for individuals with comorbid PTSD and SUD.

BackgroundCognitive deficits are prevalent among substance use disorder (SUD) patients and affect treatment retention and outcome. The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) is a well-researched instrument in diverse patient groups and has the potential to serve as an effective and accurate method for identifying cognitive impairment in SUD patients. This systematic review examines the RBANS’ ability to detect cognitive impairment in SUD patients. Limitations of knowledge and the need for further research are discussed.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search using PsycINFO, Medline, and Cochrane databases to identify relevant studies and articles on applying RBANS in SUD. No time limits were imposed on the search. Search words were RBANS, substance use disorder, drug use disorder, and alcohol use disorder, and the most common specific types of drugs (e.g., opiates, cannabis, and methamphetamine).ResultsA systematic search identified 232 articles, of which 17 were found eligible and included in the review. Most studies examined patient groups using either alcohol, methamphetamine, or opioids. The results are presented in the form of a narrative review. We identified some evidence that the RBANS can detect group differences between SUD patients and healthy controls, but the findings were somewhat inconsistent. The literature search revealed little information about cognitive profiles, reliability, factor structure, and construct and criterion validity.ConclusionsThe evidence concerning the validity and usefulness of the RBANS in SUD populations is scarce. Future research should investigate cognitive profiles, reliability, factor structure, and construct and criterion validity.

Rationale, design, and implementation of a clinical trial of a mindfulness-based relapse prevention protocol for the treatment of women with comorbid post traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder

Pharmacological treatment of comorbid PTSD and substance use disorder: Recent progress

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often conceptualized from a fear conditioning perspective given individuals with PTSD demonstrate a reduced ability to inhibit fear even under safe conditions as compared to those without PTSD. The self-medication hypothesis suggests that individuals with PTSD often develop substance use disorders (SUDs) as an attempt to mitigate trauma-related distressing emotions. This investigation examined this hypothesis in a sample 214 participants, of which 81 did not meet criteria for either PTSD or SUDs (No diagnosis Control group); 33 met criteria for lifetime PTSD, but not SUDs (PTSD only group); 54 met criteria for lifetime SUDs, but not PTSD (SUDs only group); and 46 met lifetime criteria for both disorders (PTSD+SUDs group). PTSD was assessed using the modified PTSD Symptoms Scale (mPSS), SUDs were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR (SCID). The startle magnitude was assessed using electromyography (EMG) of the eyeblink muscle in response to an acoustic startle probe. Fear-potentiated startle (FPS) was analyzed by comparing startle magnitude at baseline to startle during a fear conditioned stimulus. Results showed that PTSD significantly increased startle responses. However, there was a significant effect of SUDs on fear-potentiated startle to the danger signal, in that those who met criteria for SUDs had reduced fear compared to those who did not. The individuals who had co-morbid PTSD and SUDs did not differ from the Control group. Findings indicate that SUDs may attenuate exaggerated fear responses associated with PTSD. Consistent with the self-medication hypothesis, results suggest that substance use may co-occur with PTSD because it reduces heightened fear load and may allow normalized function in traumatized individuals.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental health disorder that may develop after exposure to traumatic events. Substance use disorder (SUD) is a behavioural disorder in which the use of one or more substances is associated with heightened levels of distress, clinically significant impairment of functioning, or both. PTSD and SUD frequently occur together. The comorbidity is widely recognised as being difficult to treat and is associated with poorer treatment completion and poorer outcomes than for either condition alone. Several psychological therapies have been developed to treat the comorbidity, however there is no consensus about which therapies are most effective.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the impact of childhood trauma (CT) on the clinical profile of individuals with co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). AIMS: To compare the clinical characteristics of individuals with SUD+PTSD who have a history of CT with SUD+PTSD individuals who have experienced trauma during adulthood only. METHOD: Data were collected on 103 individuals as part of a randomised controlled trial examining the efficacy of an integrated psychosocial treatment for SUD+PTSD. Participants were recruited from substance use treatment services, community referrals and advertising. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, substance use and treatment histories, lifetime trauma exposure, and current physical and mental health functioning. RESULTS: The vast majority (77%) of the sample had experienced at least one trauma before the age of 16, with 55% of those endorsing childhood sexual abuse. As expected individuals with a CT history, as compared to without, evidenced significantly longer duration of PTSD. Those with a CT history also had more extensive lifetime trauma exposure, an earlier age of first intoxication, and reported more severe substance use (e.g., a greater number of drug classes used in their lifetime, higher severity of dependence scores and greater number of drug treatment episodes). CONCLUSION: Individuals with co-morbid SUD+PTSD who have experienced CT present with a more severe and chronic clinical profile in relation to a number of trauma and substance use characteristics, when compared to individuals with adulthood only trauma histories. It is therefore important for SUD+PTSD treatment planning that CT be carefully assessed.

Objective/Background: Insomnia occurs in 66–90% of individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 36–72% of individuals with substance use disorder (SUD). Individuals with both PTSD and SUD are more likely to have insomnia than individuals with only one disorder. Insomnia is associated with poorer treatment outcomes for both PTSD and SUD, increased daytime symptomology for PTSD, and increased relapse for SUDs. As such, it is important to understand how sleep affects PTSD treatment among patients dually diagnosed with SUD and how sleep changes over time in a residential unit for SUDs. Participants: Participants were 40 veterans with comorbid PTSD and SUD in a 28-day Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP) PTSD track. Methods: Analyses used mixed models with Time (baseline, posttreatment, 3-month follow-up) to examine PTSD and insomnia severity over time. Results: Results of the longitudinal mixed model showed that PTSD symptoms improved over time but that insomnia symptoms did not. Although baseline insomnia did not affect follow-up PTSD symptoms, individuals with greater insomnia severity at the start of treatment had more severe baseline PTSD symptomatology. However, there was not an interaction of insomnia and PTSD severity over time such that baseline insomnia did not affect PTSD trajectories. Conclusions: These findings are consistent with the PTSD outpatient treatment findings and further adds evidence that insomnia is unremitting without direct intervention. Given the relationship insomnia has with PTSD severity, SUD, and relapse, directly targeting insomnia may further help improve both PTSD and SUD treatment outcomes.

The authors aim to delineate cognitive dysfunction associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by evaluating a well-defined cohort of former World War II prisoners of war (POWs) with documented trauma and minimal comorbidities. The authors studied a cross-sectional assessment of neuropsychological performance in former POWs with PTSD, PTSD with other psychiatric comorbidities, and those with no PTSD or psychiatric diagnoses. Participants who developed PTSD had average IQ, while those who did not develop PTSD after similar traumatic experiences had higher IQs than average (approximately 116). Those with PTSD performed significantly less well in tests of selective frontal lobe functions and psychomotor speed. In addition, PTSD patients with co-occurring psychiatric conditions experienced impairment in recognition memory for faces. Higher IQ appears to protect individuals who undergo a traumatic experience from developing long-term PTSD, while cognitive dysfunctions appear to develop with or subsequent to PTSD. These distinctions were supported by the negative and positive correlations of these cognitive dysfunctions with quantitative markers of trauma, respectively. There is a suggestion that some cognitive decrements occur in PTSD patients only when they have comorbid psychiatric diagnoses.