Link Between PTSD and Dementia

The results of a new study reported in the September issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society suggest that veterans with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at greater risk for dementia than other veterans, even those who suffered traumatic injuries during combat. The study found that veterans with PTSD had twice the chance of later being diagnosed with dementia than veterans without PTSD. While the authors are not currently able to determine the cause for this increased risk, they stress the importance of determining whether the risk of dementia can be reduced by effectively treating PTSD.