biostudies-literatureLiu JNIMH NIH HHSNHLBI NIH HHSNCI NIH HHS419-430https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10947504biostudies-literatureUnknown54(2)<h4>Background</h4>Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with cognitive impairments. It is unclear whether problems persist after PTSD symptoms remit.<h4>Methods</h4>Data came from 12 270 trauma-exposed women in the Nurses' Health Study II. Trauma and PTSD symptoms were assessed using validated scales to determine PTSD status as of 2008 (trauma/no PTSD, remitted PTSD, unresolved PTSD) and symptom severity (lifetime and past-month). Starting in 2014, cognitive function was assessed using the Cogstate Brief Battery every 6 or 12 months for up to 24 months. PTSD associations with baseline cognition and longitudinal cognitive changes were estimated by covariate-adjusted linear regression and linear mixed-effects models, respectively.<h4>Results</h4>Compared to women with trauma/no PTSD, women with remitted PTSD symptoms had a similar cognitive function at baseline, while women with unresolved PTSD symptoms had worse psychomotor speed/attention and learning/working memory. In women with unresolved PTSD symptoms, past-month PTSD symptom severity was inversely associated with baseline cognition. Over follow-up, both women with remitted and unresolved PTSD symptoms in 2008, especially those with high levels of symptoms, had a faster decline in learning/working memory than women with trauma/no PTSD. In women with remitted PTSD symptoms, higher lifetime PTSD symptom severity was associated with a faster decline in learning/working memory. Results were robust to the adjustment for sociodemographic, biobehavioral, and health factors and were partially attenuated when adjusted for depression.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Unresolved but not remitted PTSD was associated with worse cognitive function assessed six years later. Accelerated cognitive decline was observed among women with either unresolved or remitted PTSD symptoms.Psychological medicinePost-traumatic stress disorder symptom remission and cognition in a large cohort of civilian women.PMC10947504R01 MH101269T32 HL098048UM1 CA176726R21 MH102570U01 CA176726R01 MH078928Roberts ALJha SCLiu JKubzansky LDGrodstein FHaneuse SChibnik LBKang JHLiang LKoenen KCLawn RBRimm EBSampson LSumner JAfalsePost-traumatic stress disorder symptom remission and cognition in a large cohort of civilian women.<h4>Background</h4>Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with cognitive impairments. It is unclear whether problems persist after PTSD symptoms remit.<h4>Methods</h4>Data came from 12 270 trauma-exposed women in the Nurses' Health Study II. Trauma and PTSD symptoms were assessed using validated scales to determine PTSD status as of 2008 (trauma/no PTSD, remitted PTSD, unresolved PTSD) and symptom severity (lifetime and past-month). Starting in 2014, cognitive function was assessed using the Cogstate Brief Battery every 6 or 12 months for up to 24 months. PTSD associations with baseline cognition and longitudinal cognitive changes were estimated by covariate-adjusted linear regression and linear mixed-effects models, respectively.<h4>Results</h4>Compared to women with trauma/no PTSD, women with remitted PTSD symptoms had a similar cognitive function at baseline, while women with unresolved PTSD symptoms had worse psychomotor speed/attention and learning/working memory. In women with unresolved PTSD symptoms, past-month PTSD symptom severity was inversely associated with baseline cognition. Over follow-up, both women with remitted and unresolved PTSD symptoms in 2008, especially those with high levels of symptoms, had a faster decline in learning/working memory than women with trauma/no PTSD. In women with remitted PTSD symptoms, higher lifetime PTSD symptom severity was associated with a faster decline in learning/working memory. Results were robust to the adjustment for sociodemographic, biobehavioral, and health factors and were partially attenuated when adjusted for depression.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Unresolved but not remitted PTSD was associated with worse cognitive function assessed six years later. Accelerated cognitive decline was observed among women with either unresolved or remitted PTSD symptoms.2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Jan2026-05-03T21:53:53.884Z2026-04-07T19:38:49.98ZS-EPMC109475043757795910.1017/s003329172300191510.1017/S0033291723001915