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Influence of post-traumatic stress and abnormal spirometry on cognition in 9/11 WTC responders

Abstract Number:

3004 

Submission Type:

Contributed Abstract 

Contributed Abstract Type:

Paper 

Participants:

Andrea Zammit (1), Jaeun Choi (2), Sean Clouston (3), Krystal Cleven (2), Frank Mann (3), Benjamin Luft (3), Charles Hall (2)

Institutions:

(1) Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, United States, (2) Albert Einstein College of Medicine, United States, (3) Stony Brook University, United States

Co-Author(s):

Jaeun Choi  
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Sean Clouston  
Stony Brook University
Krystal Cleven  
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Frank Mann  
Stony Brook University
Benjamin Luft  
Stony Brook University
Charles Hall  
Albert Einstein College of Medicine

First Author:

Andrea Zammit  
Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center

Presenting Author:

Jaeun Choi  
Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Abstract Text:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and abnormal spirometry are highly prevalent mental and health conditions in World Trade Center (WTC) responders. We hypothesized that PTSD symptomatology and abnormal spirometry are synergistically associated with cognitive performance in WTC responders. PTSD symptomatology was assessed using the PCL-IV, and we calculated the FEV1/FVC ratio to measure pulmonary function and characterize abnormal spirometry. Cogstate assessment measured cognitive performance. We evaluated PTSD, pulmonary function and their interaction on cognitive performance by linear regressions adjusting for confounders. PTSD symptomatology and pulmonary function appeared to have a significant synergistic effect on cognitive performance in that higher severity of PTSD symptomatology in the presence of lower pulmonary function was associated with poorer cognitive performance. Results suggested chronic stress and lung damage might share underlying biological mechanisms, including inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways, which might also affect the brain. Early intervention efforts to mitigate preventable cognitive decline in high-risk populations should be studied.

Keywords:

cognitive performance|post-traumatic stress|pulmonary function|World Trade Center responders| |

Sponsors:

Mental Health Statistics Section

Tracks:

Miscellaneous

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