Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex and chronic condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events, such as life-threatening situations, witnessing death, or experiencing physical or sexual assault. It is often accompanied by other mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, as well as chronic medical conditions. Recent research has highlighted that subtle cognitive deficits, such as variations in intelligence, attentional biases, and executive functions, may predispose individuals to PTSD following trauma exposure. Additionally, neurophysiological changes, particularly those affecting sleep quality, have been implicated. PTSD not only exacerbates these cognitive deficiencies but can also lead to further cognitive impairments, such as increased risk for dementia and altered associative learning processes. Despite these findings, there remains a significant gap in understanding how individual cognitive vulnerabilities predict PTSD development and how PTSD influences neurophysiological mechanisms over time. Addressing these gaps is crucial for advancing our understanding of PTSD's impact on cognitive and neurophysiological functioning.
This research topic aims to explore the cognitive and neurophysiological alterations associated with PTSD, focusing on the bidirectional impacts between PTSD and cognitive functioning. The primary objectives include investigating how individual differences in cognitive vulnerabilities contribute to PTSD development and understanding the neurophysiological mechanisms that may influence cognitive processes in PTSD. By examining these interactions, the research seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the cognitive and neurophysiological dimensions of PTSD, ultimately informing better prevention and intervention strategies.
To gather further insights into the bidirectional impacts of PTSD on cognitive and neurophysiological functioning, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Threat-related attentional impairments
- Use of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies
- Dysfunctions in executive functioning, including working memory updating, inhibition, and set-shifting
- Sustained attention
- Planning and strategic behavior implementation
- Disturbances in sleep quality
- Neurocognitive decline
- PTSD-related social cognition deficits
We encourage contributions from researchers with diverse expertise and backgrounds, employing both innovative technologies and traditional methods. Submissions may include original research, review articles, and meta-analyses, with either theoretical or empirical focus.
Keywords: Trauma, PTSD, Deficits, Cognition, Neurophysiology
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
