Effects of Sertraline on Memory Function of Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Chung, Moon Yong; Kim, Tae Yong; Kim, Won Chul

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to evaluate effects of sertraline treatment on symptoms and memory function of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS: Thirty Vietnam veterans were collected for this study, among whom fifteen were PTSD patients and fifteen were combat control subjects. We used Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD, Combat Exposure Scale (CES), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). Digit Span, Paired Association Learning Test (PALT) and Rey- Osterreith Complex Figure Test (CFT) were assessed for memory function. We evaluated HDRS, CAPS and memory function tests at baseline, 2-week and 6-week intervals with each subjects. RESULTS: There were significant differences between PTSD and Non-PTSD veterans in Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD, CES, HDRS and CAPS. Significant difference was found in memory function tests between PTSD and Non-PTSD veterans. PTSD veterans showed significant improvement in HDRS and CAPS at 2-week and 6-week and in memory function tests at 6-week of sertraline treatment. There was no significant correlation between symptoms and memory function. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that sertraline improve symptoms and memory function of PTSD. There was no significant correlation between PTSD sysmtoms and memory function.